Rigs of the 2022 Tour Divide (Part 2): Drop-Bar Bikes

After a canceled 2020 event, followed by an adjusted version in 2021 due to border closures, the annual Tour Divide grand depart is finally back to normal this year. As such, we couldn’t be more excited to present our Rigs of the 2022 Tour Divide—one of the most popular rig roundups we publish each year.

Continuing on from yesterday’s post, in which we shared more than 50 loaded flat-bar bikes, we’re excited to present the second part of our extensive roundup. This time around, we’re highlighting more than 60 drop-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 2022 Tour Divide Tracker.

Andrea Galanti

Age 39 / Bologna (Italy)

BIKE: For my first Tour Divide, I have the great chance to race with an UP by Open Cycle. The bike runs with a 1×12 AXS drivetrain, a pair of 3T 27.5″ wheels with Ultradynamico Rosé tires, and a SON 28 dynamo hub that provides energy for my Garmin 1030 plus, MTB ultra V2 light set from kLite, and a power bank for the other electronic devices. I’m using an ENVE seatpost and ENVE gravel handlebar. Since I’m using a gravel bike, I chose components to absorb as much vibration as possible, including a Redshift Suspension Stem and an incredible Fizik Argo adaptive saddle.
BAGS: As usual, I have bags from Miss Grape, a full-frame for electronics, documents, parts, plus some food, a rear bag for clothes, and a front bag for sleeping gear. Feedbags will be used for water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Definitely my Leatherman knife. For the night, I will use an Alpkit Pipedream 200 and Black Diamond Ultralite bivi bag to protect my Sea to Summit Ether Light XT. I choose to wear a merino base layer and T-shirt from Maad Cycling, a cargo bib and merino socks from Cascada, and Fizik Terra Ergolace X2 shoes if I need to walk.

Abe Kaufman

Age 39 / Harrisonburg, Virginia (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2020 Salsa Cutthroat with a 1×12 SRAM AXS drivetrain using a 38T front chainring and 10-52T cassette. The cockpit features a Redshift ShockStop stem and Drop Grips mounted to a Salsa Cowchipper handlebar. Contact points are rounded out with Shimano XTR pedals and an Ergon Allroad saddle and seatpost.
BAGS: The large triangle features an awesome locally made custom bolt-on frame bag. I’ll also be using two locally made feed bags, a Sea to Summit stuff sack on the handlebars, along with an Apidura top tube and saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Using a SON dynamo hub to power a kLite gravel lamp. An Outdoor Research Helium Bivy, Zpacks quilt, and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir pad round out my sleep system.

Ashley Carelock

Age 39 / Colorado (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Rodeo Labs Trail Donkey with a 12-speed 10-52T SRAM E-tap drivetrain and a 34T chainring up front. The wheels are Nex Gen V7, CF gravel, laced with a SON Dyno hub up front. The rubber is American Classic Wentworth 50mm tires. I’ll be rocking my favorite saddle, the Ergon SR Woman’s Pro.
BAGS: All bags are from the awesome folks at Oveja Negra. I’m using the bolt-on Snack Pack for extreme snacking while riding, the Chuckbucket Handlebar Snack Bag for repair equipment, the Superwdgie Frame Bag for food, clothes, and personal items, and the large Gearjammer seat bag for my sleep system and extra clothes.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: For added hand and wrist comfort, I’ve got the Redshift Shockstop stem and my favorite aero bars, the Profile Designs Air Stryke. I’m outfitted with an array of Sportful clothing to keep me dry and comfy, and my favorite Lazer helmet, the G1, to keep my head safe. I’ll also be carrying an Osprey hydration pack (2.5L) with an in-line Sawyer filter.

Alex Needleman

Age 49 / Barrie, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) the Tour Divide on a V2 Salsa Cutthroat with MASON x HUNT Search 29 Wheelset running a SON Dynamo shod in Fleecer Ridge tires. Aero bars are pro missle on a Fred bar. The rear cassette is a 11-40T with a Wolf Tooth road link. The Saddle is a carved Brooks C17.
BAGS: The frame bag is custom made Thief double-decker. The seat bag is Ortlieb 16L, Revelate made the feed bags and the front harness. The top tube bag is a Revelate Mag Tank 2000. Fork bags and mounts are Salsa.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The tent is a Nature Hike Cloud 1 Up. Sleeping bag is a 0-degree Draco from MEC and the pad a Klymit.

Ben Handrich

Age 35 / Salem, Oregon (USA)

BIKE: My bike is a custom English Cycles Attack Owl from Rob English in Eugene, Oregon. My drivetrain is all SRAM Eagle AXS components with a 36T chainring up front, SRAM Red Hydraulic disc brakes, Industry Nine Carbon wheels, and then a mixture of Ritchey and ENVE carbon bits to finish out the build. The bike weighs in around 21 pounds with pedals and bottle cages (yes, you counted correctly—there are four bottle cages).
BAGS: The framebag is a custom bolt-on framebag by Kaibob Customs out of Eugene, Oregon. Top tube bags and seatbag are Apidura and Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Honestly, my whole kit. I’m so excited to be rolling on an Oregon-made bike with an Oregon-made framebag, as it feels like I’m bringing a little bit of home along with me. Even the name of my bike, “Attack Owl,” is in reference to a rather hilarious owl that “attacks” runners at the park I live next to, which gives me a good chuckle every time I look at the vinyl logo. Outside of that, I’m going pretty minimal with a focus on functional and multi-purpose gear.

Brian Toone

Age 44 / Birmingham, Alabama (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a 2019 Salsa Cutthroat. I have spent two weeks in the hospital from getting hit by cars (twice), so my frame is covered in lots of reflective day-glow green tape and has a Varia RCTL715 for video, rear light, and radar. I am running the stock 2.2″ Teravail Sparwood tires, 1×11 drivetrain with a 36T chainring, and the stock wheels (DT Swiss) with a SON Dynamo hub powering a Sinewave Beacon light. I also have Profile Design aerobar extensions for an extra hand position and to mount my down blanket.
BAGS: I am using the Salsa full frame bag, so my water strategy is two feed bags (one for a bottle and one for bear spray) supplemented with two fork-mounted water bottles. I am going to carry some of my lighter clothes in a small Osprey backpack with inline Sawyer mini water filter and 85oz reservoir that will primarily stay empty. I am also running a Revelate seat pack, Salsa top tube bag, and a Revelate Jerrycan dedicated to spare tube and CO2.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have an emergency bivy, but I’m planning to use whatever shelter I can find for sleep and am not bringing a sleeping bag or tent. My down blanket could function as a mini shelter if absolutely necessary. Electronics will include a Garmin 1030+ with battery extender as primary navigation, Garmin inReach for tracking, iPhone for photos and backup navigation with route pre-downloaded via Ride with GPS for offline use. I am also bringing a backup phone to have a second chance at finding service if needed.

Brian Venable

Age 51 / Memphis, Tennessee (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be having a really slow and fun time riding the Tour Divide on a 2022 Marin Nicasio Plus. Pretty much stock except for some 52cm PNW The Coast handlebar, a very broken in Brooks B 17 saddle, and some Camp and Go Slow Eastern Rattler bar tape. My pedals are my OLD lucky green S&M box cage pedals!
BAGS: My gigantic front bag is called the Void and along with my frame bag and two stem bags are handmade by Farther Bag Co. out of Memphis, TN. I also have two Salsa EXP Series Anything Cage and Bags as well as a Salsa EXP seat pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m trying out the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 one-person bikepacking tent with a Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL air mat with a AlpliveT400 down sleeping bag. Fingers crossed it’ll work! I’m finding my way around with a Garmin Edge 520 plus and a Spot X—hope they find me if I get lost!

Bruce Gordon

Age 59 / Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding northbound on my 2020 810 di2 2×11 Salsa Cutthroat with 11-42T cassette, Fox 32 Step-Cast fork, Curve Walmer Bars (with the drops sawed off), In-line brakes on the flats, Ergo grips, i9-32mm stem, PD aero bars on 80mm risers, We Are One “Faction” carbon hoops laced to i9s and rolling on a pair of 2.2″ Conti Protection Race Kings and a Specialized S-Works Roman EVO/mirror saddle.
BAGS: Arkel handle bar bag (sleeping kit), Apidura direct mount top tube bag (electronics), two feed bags slung over the top tube, two Gorilla bag fork bags, four bottle cages, Salsa direct mount frame bag with Apidura 3L bladder, Ortlieb saddle bag (clothes).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wahoo Element, iPhone, Zendure 27,000 mAh power bank, Magic Shine, Monteer 6500 front light with dedicated 10,000mAh power bank, First Gen SPOT, tent, quilt, and rain gear are all Zpacks. Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xtherm sleeping pad.

Carson Truesdell

Age 26 / Charlotte, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be enjoying the Great Divide on my 2021 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1. I’ve made minimal changes off the stock components (aside subbing in a 34t Raceface chainring), as I have like how it rides as is. The tires are 2.2″ and were converted to be tubeless.
BAGS: I was lucky to snag an extra custom frame bag from Rockgeist. It is direct mount, very sturdy, and can hold more than you think! The top tube bag (gas can) is also direct mount from Salsa. Additionally, I’m running a rear saddle bag (Salsa Exp Series Seat Pack) and two snack bags that a friend made from scratch. The Anything Cages on the front fork are housing the sleeping pad and various other items, attached via Voile straps. The downtube bag includes a repair kit, also held by Voile straps. A 2.5L CamelBak will be carried via a small, lightweight backpack (Osprey).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The Big Agnes two-person Blacktail Hotel Bikepacking tent is an incredibly light and durable tent that not only has space for two humans, but can cover/protect two bikes in the vestibule. Rocking Goodr sunglasses and a warm Cotopaxi 650 down fill hood jacket as well as merino/polyester blend Smartwool shirts and socks. Using a Garmin 530 for navigation.

Danny Green

Age 42 / Poole, Dorset (UK)

BIKE: For my rookie Tour Divide, I will be racing on a Canyon GRIZL CF SLX Di2. The bike rolls on a pair of DT Swiss GRC1400 carbon gravel rims with a set of Vittoria Mezcal 44mm tires and a SON28 Dynamo hub up front. Drivetrain is a Shimano GRX 2×11 speed, with a 46/30T crankset, and 11-42 cassette. Aerobars are Profile Design with Di2 shifters. Saddle is a Selle SMP Dynamic.
BAGS: Apidura Race and Expedition bags. 1.5L hydro bladder inside the framepack, and I will wear an Osprey waistpack with water, food, and quick-to-hand kit (Goretex, Dynaplug, etc..)
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping system is an OR Alpine Ascentshell bivy with a Therm-a-Rest Uberlite air pad. Lighting the way will be Supernova dynamo lights, with Exposure lights as back-up. I will be navigating with a Garmin 1030.

Chris Ellison

Age 59 / Austwick, Yorkshire Dales (UK)

BIKE: I’m riding the Tour Divide on my 2020 Salsa Cutthroat that I’ve had for the past two years. Originally 11-speed SRAM Force, it’s been running 12-speed XX1 Eagle for a year, using Ratio Technology conversion. I’m on a 34T AbsoluteBlack oval chainring. The wheels are Enve M50 on Hope Pro4 hubs and rolling on Teravail Sparwood tyres.
BAGS: My bags are a mixture of WildCat, Spoked, and Alpkit but with all the lightweight stuff being bespoke DCF fabric items made by Wild Sky Gear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My sleeping arrangements are a Terra Nova Ultra One tent, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir pad and Peter Hutchinson Designs down bag. My down jacket is from them too but most of my riding gear is merino wool. For navigation, I use an eTrex 30 along with printed profiles and joystick lights by Exposure. My indispensable item is my MP3 player, so much so that I carry two! I have 2.5L of bottles on the bike plus Platypus bags for another 4L across the more dry stretches. I am blessed to be a Yorkshireman, so from the same county as the greatest Tour Divide rider of them all. I’m honoured to be following in his wheel tracks again. #BeMoreMike.

Re Chang

Age 25 / Brooklyn, New York (USA)

BIKE: 90s Dirt Research Hot Springs size xxxtra small frame, Craigslist special. Velo Orange Piolet fork. Wheels handbuilt by me (my first time!) – Shutter Precision PD-8 dynamo front hub and White Industries Eno rear, rolling on 26 x 2.2” Maxxis Ikons. Dinglespeed gearing is 36/17 outer and 34/19 inner courtesy of Garbaruk and Wolf Tooth rings paired with a White Industries Dos freewheel. Disc front/canti rear mullet brakes. 160mm Crupi cranks, MKS Lambda pedals, Ritchey Beacon drops, Pelago front rack.
BAGS: All bags sewn by me (@besternweef on Instagram), plus a couple of Sea to Summit Big River dry bags. Dog carrier is a modified USPS mail bin.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Kasai Trailbeam — sick little dynamo light with integrated USB charger, 1/3 the price of a Sinewave. Also our Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 30° quilt, which comfortably sleeps two people and two dogs.

Christopher Schmidt

Age 47 / Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Cutthroat frameset with SRAM AXS Eagle drivetrain, 34T chainring, 10-52 cassette, and SRAM RED AXS shifters. 3T aero bars mounted on a Fred bar with an Enve Carbon Gravel 48cm handlebar complete the cockpit. Wheelset: Bontrager 30 Line Carbon/SON Dynamo Hub up front with a HED Belgium+/Industry Nine Hub in the rear on a fresh set of Vittoria Mezcal 2.1” tires. Front suspension is the 32 Float SC 29 FIT4 Factory Boost Fork. Pedaling Shimano XTRs on a Selle Anatomica X2 saddle.
BAGS: Apidura aerobar pack, Revelate Mag Tank top tube bag, Revelate feedbags x2, custom Rockgeist framebag, Brooks drybag carried by a Tailfin carbon arch and Widefoot voile straps. 3L Hydrapak bag in the framebag and a PEdALED hydro vest on my back for extra water and food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Montbell Breeze Dry-Tec Sleeping Bag cover as my Bivvy resting on a small Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad. Sleep kit wouldn’t be complete without a custom Nunatak PCT Pullover w/APEX synthetic insulation and custom Nunatak down-filled half bag, aka the “JayP skirt.” Navigation is Wahoo ELEMNT Roam. Lighting is kLite MTB kit.

David Boswell

Age 58 / Oro Valley, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: I’m a rookie looking to finish in 28 days on my 52cm 2020 Salsa Cutthroat. I’m running a 1×12 mullet drivetrain with a 34t front, a 10-52 SRAM XO1 cassette, XO1 Eagle AXS derailleur, and Force AXS brakes/shifters. I’ll be sitting on an Ergon SM Pro saddle and a Cane Creek eeSilk+ carbon seatpost with 30mm of travel (love it). The wheels are Whisky No. 9 carbon, Vittoria Mezcals 2.25, with an Industry 9 Hydra rear hub and a SON dynamo front. Salsa Cowchipper carbon bars with a 50mm Enve stem finish it off.
BAGS: Since I ride a small frame and am limited on my seat bag, I chose to go with a Tumbleweed mini pannier rack and a set of Revelate Designs Nano Panniers. The frame bag is a direct mount Salsa, the sleep kit rides in Revelate Designs Pronghorn and an Egress bag on the front. The rest are a mix of Salsa, Rev Designs, and Bedrock.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep kit is a Tarptent Rainbow Li one-person tent, an Enlightened Equipment 30-degree quilt, and a Sea to Summit UL insulated pad.

David Quinn

Age 39 / Sand Springs, Oklahoma (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a custom painted “Last Call Tulsa” 2019 Niner RLT Steel gravel bike. Painted specifically for this trip, the bike celebrates and reminds me of friends I ride with at home and the raddest single-day ride I have ever completed. Added for comfort is the gravel suspension fork by RockShox. The Rudy Ultimate XPLR shock complements my “small tire volume” very well to make a supple ride. The bike rolls on Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 700 x 45mm tires and is propelled by a SRAM wireless AXS Eagle XX1 mullet 1×12 drivetrain with a 32T Wolf Tooth Cinch chainring and Leonardi Racing 9-48T cassette, cranked by an Easton EC90-172.5mm carbon crankset with BBInfinite bottom bracket and Stages left side power meter. The wheels are Stan’s Carbon Grail CB7s with DT Swiss 240s modified with the 54T star ratchet upgrade. ENVE gravel carbon seat post, ENVE Carbon Gravel drop bars with Fizik bar tape, and a Fred Bar mount for the Profile Design Sonic Erogo 45AR aero bars on 30mm risers round out the contact surfaces. An aero bar Garmin mount, Exposure Lights stem fit bracket mount and, of course, the friendly trail bell finishes the cockpit. Lighting is by Exposure Lights with the Diablo MK12 on the helmet and the Toro MK12 on the bars.
BAGS: Tailfin Carbon Rack with pannier mounts hold the bulk day-to-day and repair items. The bar bag is a Sea to Summit nylon compression sack squeezing the sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and bivy down to travel size. In the frame is Rapha’s Frame Pack, mostly for food, electronics, and handy riding clothes. Feed zone pack and bear spray holster are both Revelate Designs feed bags attached to the bars. Probably the most used item is the Mag Tank on the top tube for easy access to snacks. Hydration storage is the Adventure Hydration Crank Tank 4 with 4+ liters of capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Outdoor Research Alpine Ascent Shell Bivy is my shelter along with a 32°F Western Mountaineering mummy bag and Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite sleeping pad. I’ll also be carrying a Garmin Edge 1030 Plus Cycling computer for navigation and the Garmin inReach Mini for tracking, safety, and remote communications. Power for all components comes from a fast-charging Anker Power Core Elite with 19,200mAh and 60W power output. Fast charging is from the four-port Ugreen 100-watt GaN fast charger.

Josh Ibbett

Age 34 / Buckden (UK)

BIKE: This is my second time on the Divide, and I will be using the already proven Mason Cycles InSearchOf frame. I have opted for a RockShox Sid fork this time, the thinking is that comfort is faster long-term than weight savings. Wheels are Hunt Limitless Gravel Disc rims with a SON front dynamo hub. The groupset is a mix of GRX Di2 with some 11-speed XTR Di2 parts and an XT chainset. Tyres are Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge, bars are Ritchey VentureMax alloy, and I’m running a kLite dynamo light and charging system.
BAGS: I am using some custom products from Tailfin. The bags are made to measure for the frame and the rear Aeropack is custom made with additional side pouches for easy access to rain gear or food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My kit is from Albion Cycling, and I’ve paid particular attention to keeping dry. I’ll be using the Albion Zoa rain shell and prototype rain trousers to keep the worst of the weather off, with a custom hooded ultralight insulated jacket providing warmth. Albion cargo shorts will provide plenty of food storage options. Sleeping gear is the well tested OR Helium hooped bivvi, a short Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad, and a custom-made PHD sleeping bag.

Dave Williamson

Age 63 / Invermere, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: Carrying me on the Tour Divide is my 2020 Salsa Cutthroat. The bike features 2x chainrings (30/46), 2.2” Fleecer Ridge tires, RaceFace cranks, and Di2 shifting. Modifications (thanks to Lakeside Bike Co) include an 11/42 cassette, SON Dynamo hub up front, Profile Design aero bars, and Brooks B17 leather saddle.
BAGS: Principally Apidura bags and a Salsa EXP direct mount frame bag making the line-up. Three bottles mounted to the forks and downtube, also bringing a 3L bladder for parched sections.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleeping gear comprises a Rab bivvy bag, Big Agnes Anvil Horn sleeping bag, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir pad (for some extra comfort). To find my way, I’ll be packing a Wahoo Element Roam, and “kicking it old school” with paper maps.

David Crumbley

Age 61 / Auburn, Alabama (USA)

BIKE: The bike I’ll be riding for the Tour Divide is a titanium Bearclaw Beaux Jaxon. What other bike is there for an Auburn fan!? I went with the titanium fork for more comfort/compliance and strength. It has SRAM AXS components, an 11-52 rear, and 32T chainring. Wheels are Reserve with an SP 8x dynamo hub powering a kLite Ultra MTB. Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires. Appreciate the Profile aero bars with 60mm rise as hip angle doesn’t change much when transitioning from tops/hoods to aero position, it’s comfortable, and my water bottle clears underneath.
BAGS: My frame bag, top tube bag, and Honey Pots are all Rockgeist. Great performance from everything Rockgeist, and Greg is always helpful. Salsa Anything Cradle on bars, Anything Cages on forks, and Salsa front pouch. Just added the Tailfin Aeropack with mini panniers. So far, very solid/stable setup.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My shelter is a Big Agnes Fly Creek HV along with a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm and Katabatic quilt. For navigation, my primary guide is a Wahoo Roam with Gaia GPS and Ride with GPS as backups. My tracker is an inReach Explorer+.

David Landis

Age 39 / Harrisonburg, Virginia (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a custom Salsa Cutthroat built around a non-boost 2018 frameset. Highlights include SRAM AXS XO1 with 36T x 10-52 gearing and two sets of wireless blips, TRP Hylex brakes. Cockpit is framed with Ritchey VentureMax bars, Profile Design aerobars, and a Redshift stem. Wheels are built on SON dynamo and DT240 hubs with Nextie carbon rims running 29 x 2.25 Mezcals.
BAGS: Frame and stem bags are a custom local collaboration from Harrisonburg, VA. Remaining bags are all Revelate: the trusty Viscacha saddle bag and Gas tank/Jerrycan top tube bags. Cage mounted 2x 1L Magnum bottles on the fork and a Zéfal tool canister on the downtube. A Sea to Summit dry compression sack Voile strapped to the handlebars and aerobars carries the sleep system.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Zpacks Solo 30°F quilt and Hexamid tent, along with a Therm-a-Rest Uberlight make up the camp setup. Navigation via Garmin 530, backups of the Wahoo Bolt and Fenix 6x watch. Running an inReach Mini 2 for tracking. Power and light via the kLite gravel kit.

David Moss

Age 65 / Wellington (New Zealand)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2018 Salsa Fargo. The bike features a Shimano GRX 1×11 drivetrain – 32T chainring and an 11-46 cassette. In addition, tyres are Continental XKings, an SP dynamo, a Lauf fork, and Profile aerobars.
BAGS: Custom framebag and top tube bag by BBD. Oveja Negra seatbag and toptube bag. Rockgeist for feedbags and front roll harness. Three 1L bottles mounted to downtube plus a 2L Platypus in framebag when required.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: kLite dynamo lights front and rear
SMD Lunar solo tent.

David Schultz

Age 54 / Duluth, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on my 2020 Salsa Cutthroat GRX 600 with Fox 32 Step-Cast Fork. Onyx rear hub, SON 28 dynamo, Sinewave Beacon light, Wolf Tooth GoatLink 11 paired with Shimano 11-40 cassette, Redshift Kitchen Sink Handlebar, and Dual-Position seatpost, Brooks Imperial saddle, Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires.
BAGS: Cedaero Frame Pack, Tank Top LD, Wedge, and Devils Draw Packs. Salsa EXP Anything Cradle and Revelate Terrapin Seat bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system includes an Enlighted Equipment quilt and Big Agnes Copper Spur tent.

Jacob Ashton

Age 30 / Boise, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide to the best of my ability on my Bearclaw Beaux Jaxon. It’s got a 2×10 drivetrain and Onyx hubs front and rear. Dynamos are only slightly better than brakes because they generate electricity while slowing you down so, hopefully, I’ll ride just a little bit faster. It’s shown here with mismatched tires in touring mode as I sliced my back tire on my second day of touring my way to Banff for the Grand Depart. For the race, I’ll be trading my tent and stove for a bivy and copious amounts of cookies and peanut butter.
BAGS: The half-frame bag is a very special request built by Rockgeist. I have a Revelate Spinelock seatbag and a Roadrunner handlebar bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Rockgeist frame bag and a solar panel!

Eric Betteridge

Age 60 / Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: As I’m riding with my partner Jen, this is a “sportif” ride rather than a race. My trusty steed is a steel 2016 Salsa Fargo with a Firestarter carbon fork. Nicknamed “Dobbin,” the bike is mostly stock with a few changes. I have put on new wheels with 2.25” Vittoria Mezcals in honour of the Tour Divide. Ritchey VentureMax handlebars with Red Shift top grips and Profile Design aerobars with 50 mm risers have added considerably to the cockpit comfort.
BAGS: Custom made by the Log Driver’s Waltz (i.e. Jen and me). I have opted for a trunk bag and one mini pannier to supplement the full frame and front bags. Of the two feed bags, one is for a water bottle and the other is for snacks, etc. I have also made a “cookie jar” which is a small feedbag located right above the steerer tube that will hopefully be a bottomless source of energy!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The tent is a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL. I will be relying on charging blocks and battery packs to keep the electronics going. Navigation will be by Garmin 530 with phone backup.

Ed Mason

Age 55 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1 (32 x 11-42) with RockShox Reba 100mm front fork, Trevail Sparwood 2.2 x 29 tires. Added a Bar Yak Expedition up front to keep bags away from cables.
BAGS: Salsa frame and front roll bag. Lots of Revelate bags, Terrapin, Egress, Mag-Tank, Jerrycan, Feedbags, Polecat and Joey Downtube (for extra water capacity).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes CopperSpur HV UL1 Tent, REI Magma 15 Sleeping Bag, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Pad, Patagonia Micro Puff, OR Helium Rain Pants, Montane Minimus Rain Jacket, Wahoo ELEMENT Roam for navigation.

Ezra Ward-Packard

Age 28 / Vanlife, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the 2022 Tour Divide on a 2019 Bombtrack Hook EXT-C frameset with an MRP Baxter 60mm fork. The wheelset is a Schmidt SON dynamo front and DT Swiss 350 rear laced into HED Belgium G rims. Teravail Rutland 27.5 x 2.1″ in the front, 650b x 47mm in the rear. Drivetrain is a mix of Shimano Ultegra and GRX. Gearing is 48/31 x 11-40 with a 4iiii power meter. Cockpit is a Zipp Service Course SL handlebars, eBay aluminum stem, and hodgepodge TT bar set-up.
BAGS: Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion seat pack. Bontrager half frame bag and top tube bag. Revelate Jerrycan, dual Feedbags, and a heavily modified Sweet Roll handlebar bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system is an REI Magma 30 bag, Therm-a-Rest Uberlight pad, Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie, and an ultralight tarp. Kit is all Pearl Izumi, sans a custom jersey from VIE13. Key electronics are a Sinewave Cycles Beacon, Garmin 530, Spot Gen 3, Nitecore NPB2 10,000mAh cache battery, and Dexcom G6 Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor (Type 1 Diabetic).

Anthony Ball

Age 50 / Belper, Derby (UK)

BIKE: I shall be making my debut on the Tour Divide riding my beloved 2021 Salsa Cutthroat GRX600, the bike is as it left the factory apart from an upgraded Shimano XT 11-40 rear cassette that works well with the OE 30/46T 2x setup, ITP aero bars, a SON dynamo front hub, and I’ll be rolling on grey wall Mezcal 2.25″ tyres. Lighting is taken care of by Exposure Lights.
BAGS: I am using a full set of Alpkit bags, including a custom made Stingray frame pack and a couple of custom made brackets for my toolkit and other accessories.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent and OEX bag on a Therm-a-Rest UberLite air mattress to keep me warm and dry (hopefully).

Gyorgy Ari

Age 45 / Coral Springs, Florida (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding my all-steel Breezer Radar. The bike features WTB i25 wheelset with Continental Race King 2.2 tires, Shutter Precision dynamo hub, Bush and Muller dynamo lights, and Sinewave Revolution charger, 1×10 Shimano drivetrain 34T (oval) chainring, 11-46 cassette, Microshift bar-end shifters, BB7 mechanical brakes, and Profile Design aerobars.
BAGS: I will have a Revelate Designs frame bag, top tube bag, front harness (with Sea to Summit drybag) and feed pouch, Topeak Backloader seatpack (with Revelate drybag inside) attached to a modified rack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be navigating with an eTrex 30x, Ride With GPS, and photos of the ACA maps as a backup on my phone. The 20mm suspension seat post and stem will provide a little extra comfort for bumpy roads. I have a 26T extra chainring installed on the cranks as a manual bailout, increasing my gear range to 547%!

James Naughton

Age 55 / North Kingstown, Rhode Island (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (not racing) the Tour Divide 2022, as an ITT starting on 6/25. I’ll be riding a 2021 Salsa Cutthroat with AXS Eagle 1×12 drivetrain with a 36T chainring. The bike features a new pair of Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge 2.2” tires (Endurance casing). I made a few modifications to the build, using a RedShift Shockstop Stem, and adding a Profile Design aerobar with 70mm risers.
BAGS: I’m using a custom frame bag by Rogue Panda. Salsa EXP Anything Cradle on the handlebars, two Salsa anything cages on the fork, two Revelate Mountain Feedbags, a Revelate Jerry can, and a Revelate Mag Tank 2000. I’m also using a Tailfin Rack system featuring two ultra-durable panniers and Aeropack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using a Nemo Dragonfly tent, an REI Magma 15 sleeping bag, and an Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm sleep pad.

Jen Adams

Age 59 / Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I am riding the Tour Divide as a sportif rather than racing, as I am riding with partner Eric. My bike, “Daisy,” is a 2018 Salsa Fargo with a Firestarter carbon fork. Switched in new wheels built with Hope hubs, Ritchey Comp VentureMax handlebars, and Profile Design aerobars.
BAGS: Custom made with Ecopack EPX 200 by the Log Driver’s Waltz (i.e. Eric and me) mini-pannier saddle bags, trunk bag, jerry can, front roll, feed bag and glasses holster. My Topeak gas tank was modified by a pesky red squirrel on a recent shake-down ride.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Sleep system of Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xlite, microfibre liner, down quilt, and deluxe inflatable pillow will be supplemented with down pants and puffy jacket for the very coldest nights. Navigating by Wahoo Bolt with my phone as a backup.

Jim Barrow

Age 53 / Worthing, West Sussex (UK)

BIKE: Mason ISO, stock SRAM Force build, with some Hunt dynamo wheels and a kLite bikepacker pro dual USB charger and light. This bike is wicked, I love it! We’ve done over 10,000 miles together and I absolutely know it’s the right tool for the job.
BAGS: Apidura frame bag, top tube bags, feed bags, fork bags. Alpkit dry bag on front and a Revelate front pouch. Tailfin rear bag with extra cargo cages.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m using the two frame cages for water bottles. I bought the Tailfin so I have extra cages for two 1L bottles for the drier parts of the course. I’m wearing a fanny pack that also has a 1.5L bladder that I’ll also use only for the drier bits. The bike will have Vittoria Mezcals fitted for a bit less weight and a bit more speed (hopefully!). I’ll be using a Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent with a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir X therm and an Alpkit Pipedream 400 sleeping bag.

Artec Durham

Age 36 / Flagstaff, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Salsa Cutthroat. Rigid, but with a Redshift Shock Stop stem. Drivetrain is a SRAM Force group. The shifter is converted with a Ratio kit to work with the 12-speed XO1 MTB derailleur with an 11-52T cassette. 36T chainring. Dropper post with left side Force shifter as actuator, fun!
BAGS: The Cutthroat is fitted with a custom direct mount frame bag made by Rogue Panda Designs in my hometown of Flagstaff, Arizona. For hydration, I will be using the Bismarck Bottle Bucket by Rogue Panda. Additional two bottles on the fork. On the back, I have a Tailfin Aeropack, 20L capacity, dropper post compatible. I’m excited to try this out!
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I just got the new Fenix BC26R bike light with 5,000mAh replaceable batteries. I’ll also have a BC21R on my helmet as well. But I’ll probably regret not having a dynamo hub.

Jocelyn De La Rosa

Age 32 / Kelowna, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: Purple, my custom, fast and far bikepacking bike made by Em at WZRD Bikes. It’s equipped with a Rival/GX AXS drivetrain, Hope RX4 brakes, Rene Here Fleecer ridge 2.2” tires mounted on a set of We Are One Revive x DT Swiss rear/SON Dynamo wheels. A custom rack supports the front bag and holds the Sinewave light.
BAGS: Oveja Negra saddle bag, Rockgeist everything else: custom frame bag, Cache tope tube bag, and front dry bag. Also using their Armadillo dry bag protector cut to size, super useful to strap things on top of the bag. Additionally, I’ll be carrying a small hip bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Katabatic bivy + Zpacks pocket tarp for shelter, Timmermade false bottom sleeping bag, a Therm-a-Rest Uberlight mat and a pillow for sleep. I use a Garmin Edge 530 for navigation, and a Stoots Opalo headlamp to light up my path (in addition to the Beacon). Rain gear is complemented by a set of BikeIowa pogie lites to make sure my fingers stay warm.

John Breinholt

Age 54 / Los Angeles, California (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a 2021 Salsa Cutthroat, GRX 600 edition. It’s set up as a 2x, 46/30 chainrings in front. I’ve added a 42/11 cassette in back. I changed out the stock wheels for a pair of DT Swiss XM421s. A SON dynamo hub powers an Edelux II headlight. Tires are Maxxis Ikons 2.2″. Profile Design aerobars help keep my back from aching.
BAGS: My bag setup is a bit of a mish-mash. The frame bag is a made-to-order bolt-on by Rogue Panda. On the handlebars, I have a Swift Industries Zeitgeist. There’s a couple of Revelate Feed Bags, and a Salsa branded top tube bag. In the rear I’ve got an old Revelate Viscacha; I’ve had it for ages.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My handlebar bag is supported by a Swood Cycles T-bar. It really keeps the bag from flopping around. The T-bar also anchors my light mount. It’s not too elegant to look at, but it puts the beam right where I want it. I’m also happy with the adjustable bottle cages on my forks, by Arundel. They’ll take just about any bottle I put in them. They come in handy when I need to maximize my water capacity. My saddle of choice is a Selle SMP Glider.

Ken Dammen

Age 56 / Eagle, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: Salsa Cutthroat 2019, SRAM Rival Group, Speed Play pedals, Redshift suspension stem, Cane Creek Silk EE suspension seatpost, Fred Bar with Profile Design Aero Bars, and Maxxis Ikon 2.2 tires with Stan’s sealant.
BAGS: Revelate Designs Terrapin 14L seat bag, Mag Tank bag, feed bags, and frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes 1P Fly Creek HV UL tent, Therm-a-Rest Neo Air Pad, Garmin 530 with Garmin Fenix 6 watch for back up navigation.

Kevin Meier

Age 54 / Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2022 on a Silverback Superspeed S1 conversion. The bike has been fitted with GRX components with a 30T chainring and 9–46, 1 x 11 cassette. I have included Profile Design TT Bars for comfort. The bike has Stan’s Crest Rims and will have new Maxxis Rekon Race tyres together with a SON Dynamo Hub and Sinewave Beacon headlight. I have included the Brookes B17 narrow seat for comfort.
BAGS: My bag setup will include an Arkel 15 seatpack, a Revelate Tangle frame bag, Revelate Gas Tank and Jerry Can toptube bags, a Revelate Mountain feedbag, and a Revelate Harness to hold my sleeping equipment.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have a Naturehike VIK Series Ultralight one-person tent with a First Ascent Amplify down sleeping bag and First Ascent Ultralight mattress. I’ll also be carrying an eTrex Touch 35 for navigation.

Ken Olson

Age 62 / Chandler, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: 2017 Salsa Cutthroat with all New SRAM Components. I will have a modified 1×11 drivetrain with a 34T 10-46. Wheels are Stan’s Arch with a SON Hub for charging Lighting and GPS devices, Batteries. New additions are my redesign of my areo bars and rear rack.
BAGS: Most all bags are by Revelate Designs. Front Harness holds a Salsa waterproof bag for the sleep kit. Feed bags and Gas Tank bags are also Revelate. Rear Salsa bike rack holding a Sea to Summit 20L bag for rain and dry clothing. Center frame bag is a custom bag by Rogue Panda that will hold many things, including my 2L reservoir bag which will be my ace in the hole when needed.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am excited to use my sleep kit consisting of the Six Seasons Solo tent, Nemo sleeping bag, with a Therm-a-Rest mattress. Lastly, you gotta love the Lauf front suspension frork.

Kevin Shenk

Age 28 / South Lake Tahoe, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2019 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1. The bike is set up with 2.35″ Maaxis Ikon tires and a SON dynamo hub. Profile Design aero bars and flat pedals with the stock drivetrain.
BAGS: Revelate handlebar harness with a 20L drybag and Egress Pocket out front. Revelate Mag Tank, Jerrycan and Feed Bags. Salsa frame bag and Ortlieb saddle bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Zpacks Altaplex tent, Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xlite pad, and Enlightened Enigma 20-degree quilt. A Garmin Edge 530 computer for turn-by-turn navigation. A kLite Gravel Light and charger.

Peta McSharry

Age 55 / Jaberg, Canton Bern (Switzerland)

BIKE: I’m bringing the Open U.P. with a Lauf fork, running 650B wheels with Continental Race King tyres – 2.0 on the rear and 2.2 up front. A 30T chainring pairs with an 11-50 cassette to limit my walking requirements.
BAGS: My kit will be retained in a 2013 Revelate saddlebag, Alpkit custom framebag, Revelate Feedbags and Gastank, and an Exped Drybag as the TT bar bag. Hydration is carried in a Dexter backpack along with food and rain gear.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Recovery is taken care of with some merino wool pyjamas and silicone earplugs along with a PHD sleeping bag, custom bivy, and SilPoncho tarp. Bike is held upright during camping and used as the “tarp frame” with some lightweight MSR titanium pegs and a guyline. A SON dynamo powers the Exposure Revo light and Sinewave USB charger.

Martin Grethe

Age 50 / Wellington (New Zealand)

BIKE: I’ll be fast-touring the Tour Divide on a Salsa Cutthroat SRAM Force 1×11. Will be running Vittoria Mezcal 2.25 tyres on Wheelworks custom front DT Swiss GR wheel laced to a SON 28 Dynamo hub with a DT Swiss CR1600 Spline rear. Anodised red Absolute Black Oval 32T. Cockpit includes Fizik double bar tape on Cowchippers and Profile Design T2 aerobars. Sitting on a Fizkik Arione Open saddle.
BAGS: Running mostly Revelate Designs bags: Revelate/Salsa framebag, Terrapin 14L seat pack, Mag Tank toptube bag, Jerrycan, and a Stealth bar harness with Sea to Summit dry bag with Revelate Egress front pocket. Hydration will be four bottles mounted to the fork with Salsa Nickless Cage and downtube using King cage and double adaptor. Also taking MSR 2L dromedary bag as a reserve along with MSR trailshot filter.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My shelter and sleep system will compromise of an MSR Hubba along with an locally made Kiwi Ultralight down quilt and Exped Synmat Lite UL Air Mattress and Sea to Summit Aeros pillow. Will be taking Robens Fire midge titanium stove with Toaks Titanium cup principally for use in event of emergency of get stuck somewhere cold and wet. I’ll also be using a Wahoo Element Roam for navigation. My favourite frivolous piece of kit probably is my Spurcycle Bell, hopefully the angelic melodic glockenspiel will ward off bears.

Matthew Corey

Age 34 / Bristol, Tennessee (USA)

BIKE: Tumbleweed Stargazer, White Industries crank, BB, and chainring, GX drivetrain, Western Rattlesnake bar tape with bar-end shifters, Derby Carbon rims with Schmidt dynamo front hub with beacon light and i9 rear huh for the buzzz, 29 x 2.5 Ikons, Tumbleweed mini pannier rack, Salsa Ti seatpost with carved B17 saddle.
BAGS: Rockgeist Microwave panniers, framebag, and top tube bag. Swift Zeitgeist front bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Party Pace patch because that’s just how I’ll be rolling!

Arthur Morgan

Age 37 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding border-to-border on a 2020 Salsa Cutthroat. 30/46T front and 11-42T rear. DT Swiss XM 421 rims with Onyx rear hub and SON dynamo front hub. Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires. Redshift stem, mix of Profile Design and Redshift aerobar parts. kLite headlight and charging. I love this bike.
BAGS: Oveja Negra seat bag, top tube bag, feedbags, fork bags. Rockgeist frame bag and BarJam harness. The front end took a long time to dial in, and the harness was my third solution. It’s stable on rough trails and easy to pack/unpack with numb fingers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Enlightened Equipment synthetic quilt and MLD Soul Bivy for sleep. Garmin eTrex 22 for navigation. Hatchimal added by my daughter for good luck.

Matthew Tullai

Age 49 / Carmel, Indiana (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing an individual time trial, departing Antelope Wells on June 16, on a Salsa Fargo Ti with a Fox 32SC suspension fork, a Jayhawker dynamo boost carbon fiber wheelset by jefe.bike, and Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tubeless tires. With dynamo power onboard, I’ll be running a full electronics suite that includes a kLite Ultra Gravel lighting and charging system, a kLite Qube front and rear safety blinker, a Wahoo Roam GPS, an iPhone 13, and a Garmin inReach Mini2 satellite communicator. The cockpit features a Walmer drop handlebar, a BarYak Expedition aero bar, and Profile Design flip-up raised armrests. The drivetrain is anchored by a Cane Creek eeWings Ti crankset with a Garbaruk 34T chainring and gearing is through a SRAM 1×12 Eagle 10-50 AXS rear. To soak up vibrations, I have a Cane Creek eeSilk Plus carbon seatpost and a well-worn Infinity E1X saddle with stainless steel rails.
BAGS: I’m going “full toothbrush” this year and looking to spend a majority of nights outside on the trail. Rogue Panda made my top tube bags and my roll-top frame bag. I have a Tailfin Aeropack rear bag with King Cage Ti bottle cages on one side, a King Cage Ti Manything Cage and a Dyneema 5L bag by Ultra Lite Sacks on the other, and a Cargo Net over the top by Original Free Range. I have a Wolf Tooth TekLite roll-top bag on the underside of the downtube that holds my tools and a Sea to Summit e-Vent sleeping system compression bag lashed to my BarYak Talon retention system. Tailfin suspension fork cargo mounts hold three King Cage Ti bottle cages and a BearClaw Holster bear spray mount within easy reach of my right hand.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My toolkit includes some good luck heirloom Allen keys that travelled with my parents during their bicycle touring adventures in the 1970s; my setup also includes a green Salsa Pie Town steer tube top cap from the 2018 TD grand depart mounted on my rack boss.

Moez Bhatti

Age 25 / Toronto, ON (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on my 2020 Salsa Cutthroat. I’ve got some little SRAM robots shifting my 1×12 Eagle drivetrain, a set of SON Dynamo and Onyx Rear hubs laced up to some Light Bicycle rims, along with a kLite lighting/charging system, Berthoud Saddle, and 29 x 2.2” Rene Herse tires.
BAGS: I’m running a custom Rockgeist frame bag, along with their Cache XL top tube bag and Honeypot feedbags. I’ll be keeping my bear spray in one of the Honeypot bags, in case Winnie the Pooh decides to make an appearance. My rear toptube bag and seat packs are from Apidura, and I’m using a Salsa Anything Cradle to hold a drybag between my bars.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I have a really nice sticker of a chubby cat. He reminds me of my chubby cat.

Wyatt Spalding

Age 22 / Phoenix, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the 2022 Tour Divide on my Crust Evasion Lite. I laced some Bontrager carbon hoops up to a White Industries XMR rear hub and a SON dynamo for the front wheel. I went with TRP Spyre SLC brakes, GX 1×12 with a 34T chainring, 29 x 2.1 Vittoria Mezcals, and 46cm Cowchippers with a Profile Design aero bar.
BAGS: Sick custom frame and top tube bags from Josh at Ghost Cat Bags. I’ve been super impressed with his work on these! The seatpack is a Topeak Backloader paired with a Revelate Sweetroll up front. I also have a pair of Revelate Feedbags for a water bottle, bear spray, and snacks. My tools are stored in a storage bottle under the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An Enlightened Equipment 30°F quilt, Klymit X Lite sleeping pad, and Montbell Bivy will keep me comfortable while resting. A Sinewave Beacon is wired to my dynamo, which will provide light and power to charge my devices along the way. My shifter and derailleur are modified with parts from RatioTech to allow my 11s drop-bar shifters to work with the GX derailleur and cassette, which I’ve been very stoked on!

Nicholas Vitale

Age 34 / Hamden, Connecticut (USA)

BIKE: I will be riding the divide on my Salsa Cutthroat. Drivetrain is a mix of GRX Di2 levers and XTR Di2 rear derailleur. 32T chainring, 11-46 XT rear cassette, Raceface Next SL cranks, Shimano 180mm/160mm XT rotors, 44cm carbon Cowchipper handlebars, Profile Design 45-degree carbon aerobars with 30mm riser. Redshift Pro suspension stem 80mm, WTB Volt saddle with Ti rails, Ritchy Flexilogic seatpost. Wheels are custom carbon from Lightbicycle with a SON 110 dynamo up front and a DT Swiss 350 rear hub. Tires are 2.2” Rene Herse Fleecer Ridges with Endurance casing. A huge thanks to D’Aniello’s Amity Bike in Woodbridge, CT, for making this build a reality.
BAGS: Revelate; Pronghorn, Egress Pocket, 14L Terrapin, Polecats, Mag-Tank, feedbags. Rogue Panda double-decker frame-bag with a sunrise/topo design.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A 3L Appidura water bladder fits perfectly in the lower triangle. The dynamo is powering a Sinewave Cycles Beacon light/charger. Tent is a Big Agness Copper Spur UL 1 Bikepack. Sleeping pad is a Sea to Summit ultralight insulated mat. Quilt is Enlightened Equipment Revelation (20-degree).

Dr. Tracy Berman

Age 38 / Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a singlespeed Seven Evergreen SL (40:20T gearing) with an Enve Adventure Fork, Whisky drop bars, Profile Design aerobars, and TRP Hylex RS levers and brakes. Wheels are self-built with 650B HED Belgium rims, an Industry Nine hub in back, and a SON 28 dynamo in front. I’m rolling on 45mm Kenda Alluvium Pro Tires.
BAGS: Most bags are by Topeak (frontloader, freeloaders, toploader, backloader). I’m also utilizing Revelate Designs polecats mounted on Topeak versacages and a Rockgeist Dyneema 40 frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be wearing an Orange Mud endurance pack to increase my liquid carrying capacity. My shelter is a Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack tent and a Marmot Hydrogen 30-degree sleeping bag. I read every night before sleeping, and my trusty kindle will be tucked into the “map” pocket on my frame bag.

Nick Marzano

Age 40 / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)

BIKE: I’m riding a 2019 Salsa Cutthroat named Jem. She’s truly, truly, truly outrageous. On the wheels, 700 x 55mm Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, a SON dynamo, and SRAM hydraulic brakes. Running 1x with a 34T in the front, 10-50T Eagle in back. Comfort bits include Redshift stem (yo Philly!), Brooks saddle, and aero bars. Sinewave Beacon for night climbs.
BAGS: Custom framebag and rear Wedgie Pack by Cedaero. Saddle and handlebar bags by Apidura. Top tube by Topeak. Hoagie Hauler stem bag by R.E.Load (yo Philly!).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Was recently put on to 7Mesh MK3 Cargo bib shorts and my butt is very grateful. Navigation via Garmin eTrex 22x. Nighttime cougar spotting via Exposure Joystick on the helmet.

Nick Runtsch

Age 33 / Santa Cruz, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding Tour Divide on a 2021 Specialized Epic hardtail. Build highlights include Roval Control Carbon wheels with an SP dynamo front hub and Specialized Renegade 2.3″ tires. The dynamo powers a Supernova E3 Triple 2 headlight, E3 taillight, and Sinewave Reactor USB charger. The drivetrain is SRAM AXS – Red levers, XO1 rear derailleur (two spare batteries), 36T Wolf Tooth chainring, 10-52 cassette, old XTR pedals, and GX alloy cranks. Level brakes. The cockpit consists of a Selle SMP Drakon saddle, Thomson Elite seatpost, generic 30mm stem, Specialized clip-on aero bars, and PNW Coast 52cm drop bars. The fork is a RockShox SID SL Ultimate Brain with Tailfin SFM mounts holding a Salsa Anything HD cage on one side and dual Specialized Z Cages on the other.
BAGS: The framebag is an excellent first effort from Merz bags that features a lower compartment for an Apidura 3L bladder along with a center shelf to prevent stuff on top from collapsing as the bladder is emptied. Other bags include a Specialized Burra Burra 20L seatpack, an older Revelate Sweetroll handlebar bag, a Blackburn Outpost Toptube bag, and two Blackburn Outpost Carryalls.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 for getting around + Garmin eTrex 30 as a backup. REI Quarter Dome SL1 tent. Soto Amicus stove since I’m powerless against the wondrous effects of coffee.

Patrick Carlson

Age 46 / Boise, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2021 Salsa Cutthroat. The bike is a custom build that I purchased used from the owner of my local bike shop, Meridian Cycles. The owner took pity on my inability to find a Cutthroat and sold me his personal bike, which I further customized. The bike has Shimano Ultegra shifters, brakes, and derailers. The gearing is 46×30 front and 11-42 rear. The rims are Astral Outback 28 spoke with Continental Race King Protection tires. Cranks are 165mm Race Face. SQLabs 610 Active saddle. I laced a SON28 dynamo into the front wheel that powers a Sinewave Revolution charger for my low-power-draw, critical devices (GPS, Garmin, etc). For high-power-draw devices, I have an Anker USB C 735 65 W charger and PowerCore III Elite quick charge power bank (1.5 hrs charge time). I was able to store spare spokes inside the frame through the access port near the bottom bracket. Tools and spare tube are stored in a Zefal Z-Box mounted in a bottle cage near the bottom bracket.
BAGS: Salsa direct mount frame bag; Ortlieb ~15L Saddle Bag, ~15L Handlebar Bag, and Accessory-Pack (for food); Revelate Mountain Feed bags (2), and Mag-Tank.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using a home-sewn tarp along with an REI Bivi, REI Magma 15 degree sleeping bag (probably too warm but I dislike sleeping cold), and a Nemo Tensor air mattress. I’ll be using a Garmin 530 for navigation along with Gaia GPS on my phone. I’ll be supplementing the route with Adventure Cycling’s GPX files.

Patrick McKellips

Age 26 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the 2022 Divide, with good friend Tyler Gatlin on my recently built Stinner Frameworks custom steel gravel+ bike, built around Enve AG28 650B wheels and hometown Rene Herse 55mm tires. Opting for SRAM AXS mullet with a Praxis 38T chainring.
BAGS: I am running a pretty stock Revelate Designs bag setup. Harness up front holds tent, pad, and drybag with sleeping bag. Luxury of a being tall is I can squeeze a heck of a lot in my XL Frame Bag, and Terrapin Seat pack to finish it off. A large Oru Case seat bag holds tubes and repair items attached to the seatstays.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Stoked on my Shutter Precision dynamo powering my kLite system, providing me plenty of charging power during the day. I’ve also been impressed by the RedShift suspension stem, keeping me comfy, including while in the aerobars.

Phil Jones

Age 35 / Southampton, Hampshire (UK)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a 2021 Salsa Cutthroat running on Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires, SRAM AXS drivetrain with a 34T oval chainring, DT Swiss rims matched to a Hope Pro 4 at the rear and a SON Dynamo hub up front. Lots of Hope Technology components including RX4 calipers, discs, and Evo cranks. I went with the Profile Designs aerobars but with 60mm riser blocks for long-term neck and back comfort. An Exposure Revo front light and matching tail light will light my way coupled with an Exposure Joystick on my helmet.
BAGS: The centerpiece of my bag setup is a direct mount Salsa EXP frame bag. I am also running an Ortleib seat pack and a Salsa Anything cage up front with an Alpkit Drybag. Various other Revelate Designs storage including feed bags, gas tank, and jerry can. I am running two 1L bottles mounted on the forks with options for internal frame bladder on the drier sections.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An MSR Freelite 1 will serve as my shelter. My 1 luxury item is a pair of snazzy Western Mountaineering Flash down pants – they look ridiculous but they are warm!

Quinn Gregory

Age 27 / New York, New York (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing on a Fuji Jari Carbon 1.3. Up front, a 29er 2.1 mezcal, in the back I’m limited to 700 x 47mm.
BAGS: Bags are a combination of Apidura and Salsa.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m trying out the pedalcell for this trip. I’ll have a backup external battery in case. The ability to take it off the rim and eliminate the resistance when climbing was appealing to me.

RJ Sauer

Age 48 / North Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

BIKE: I am racing the Tour Divide on my all-time favourite, (2022) Salsa Cutthroat C X01 Eagle AXS x12 drivetrain (the III), with Whisky No. 9 30W carbon wheels and Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tires. On the front, I have added a Shutter Precision dynamo hub to power my kLite system.
BAGS: Within the frame, I am sporting my trusty, durable, bottomless Salsa half-frame bag with multiple feed bags in the cockpit from both Revelate Designs and Apidura (spread the love). On the top tube, I am running the elongated 2L racing back. At the back, I have the Tailfin carbon rack and waterproof pack. Two water bottles are mounted beneath the half-frame bag and a tool kit mounted below the down tube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My clothing kit is top to bottom 7mesh, save my Rab Infinity Microlight jacket and Big Agnes Pluton sleeping bag. Finally, I will note my prescription Julbo Sunglasses, which seems like no big deal, but at 48 I am now struggling to see the map, especially with bleary, sleep-deprived eyes! For navigation, I will be using my God-given intuition. Since that is not very reliable I have a Garmin Edge 530, eTrex 30x, and Komoot route for backup.

Sam Bailey

Age 28 / Gainesville, Florida (USA)

BIKE: 2019 Salsa Cutthroat. Setup rigid. SRAM force 1x setup with 38T chainring in the front. 10-42 rear. Wheels: Hunt 35 Carbon X Wide wheelset with new Vittoria mezcal G2 TLR 29”x 2.1” tires (not pictured).
BAGS: A complete collection of Revelate Designs bags.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This my fifth year on the Divide, and I’m minimizing weight with wider range of comfort via a front shock this time around. REI Quarter Dome 1 with a 35-degree sleeping bag.

Scott Sebring

Age 55 / Bellefontaine, Ohio (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a 2018 Jamis Renegade Exploit. I have a modified 1×11 38T Wolf Tooth up front and 11-42 with GRX rear. There’s a Fred bar for the aero bars along with a Redshift suspension stem. The wheels are Hunt with Maxxis 47mm tires and SON dynamo hub powering my kLite system.
BAGS: Rogue Panda frame bag, Revelate Spinelock seat bag, Revelate MAG 2000, two Revelate feed bags, and a Revelate Harness.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: No tent. First time using an Outdoor Research Helium Bivy. Wahoo Element Roam for navigation (ACA maps as back up) and a Garmin inReach mini.

Sarah Mulholland

Age 58 / Tucson, Arizona (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1, Race Face oval 32T chain ring with 11-42 cassette, RockShox Reba 100mm fork, Teravail Sparwood 29 x 2.2″ tires.
BAGS: A mixture of Salsa and Revelate bags with a Salsa Anything Cradle, King Cages on the front, and a bag under the down tube for extra water capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Big Agnes Copper Spur one-person tent, Montbell Super Stretch down bag, Wahoo Element Roam, and a homemade phone mount (there’s always one piece of homemade gear).

Brent Olson

Age 46 / Salt Lake City, Utah (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding an Otso Waheela C on Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.1″ tires with a Wolf Tooth Camo 34T chainring and an e*thirteen 9-46T in the back.
BAGS: I’ll be putting things in a seat and frame bag from Rockgeist, a handlebar bag from Bedrock Bags, and snack bags from Apidura and Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: They say you pack your fears, and I’m most afraid of blowing out a sidewall on a descent at night and washboards. So, I’ve put CushCore XC liners in the tires, lots of lights, and a Redshift ShockStop stem. I’ll sleep on a Klymit sleeping pad in a Sea to Summit bag, and I’ve got a Tyvek bivy in case of rain (or snow).

Scott Sundby

Age 48 / Alexandria, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2021 Salsa Cutthroat (yes, another one) GRX600. It is a stock setup, except for a wider range cassette (11-42) with a Wolf Tooth Roadlink to make that happen, a Selle SMP Avant saddle, and the ever-popular Mezcals (not pictured) on SON dynamo hubbed Mason/Hunt wheels. In the cockpit, Profile Design flip-up aerobars will have my Garmin eTrex 30x, Garmin Edge 830, and a kLite front light (with a rear Qube light), which is fantastic.
BAGS: The bags are mostly Revelate Designs. Legacy gastank bag as a jerrycan (lube, rag, misc), Magtank bag (cache battery, kLite system), Terrapin seatbag (clothes), Joey downtube bag (tools), and two Feedbags (food) make up most of my bags. The framebag is a custom Rogue Panda (everything else). My sleep system is on a Salsa Anything Cradle in a Sea to Summit Drybag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Wolf Tooth makes an adapter (B-Rad system) so I’m able to have four bottle cages on my fork, three of them will be water, one will be used for bear spray. I also need to add that there is a reason you see a lot of Cutthroats on this list. It is comfortable, carries as much as a mule, and most importantly, my girls like the color!

Sean Huzieff

Age 40 / Rist Canyon, Colorado (USA)

BIKE: 2020 Salsa Cutthroat, fully modified with electronic 2x drivetrain, Race Face Next SL G5 carbon cranks bolted to an Absolute Black oval turning an e*thirteen 9-46 cassette (784% gear range, and I use them all) to spin an Onyx hub laced to a We Are One carbon rim riding on a 2.2″ Continental RaceKing tire. The front end is mildly damped with a Lauf Boost fork clamped to a DT Swiss 240 EXP hub laced to a NEXTIE rim.
BAGS: A mix from Salsa, Oveja Negra, JPaks, and Revelate.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My JPaks Footlong top tube bag in the “Rad Splatter” pattern. It’s basically my pencil bag from the early ’90s! So rad.

Steven Sloss

Age 48 / Atlanta, Georgia (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on a 2021 Bearclaw Ti Beaux Jaxon. Front end is a Bearclaw Ti rigid fork. Carbon rims laced to SP PD8 dynamo and a DT Swiss XD so I can run a wide range 9-50 in the rear. The SP is hooked up to a kLite system charging a Voltaic 12,800mAh battery during the day which will then charge GPS and tracker at night while the kLite headlight leads the way. Additional low-draw kLite flashers running constantly for safety. Drivetrain is 1x SRAM AXS GX Eagle paired to SRAM Force levers plus remotes on the flats for climbing. 34T oval AbsoluteBlack chainring. Profile Design aero bars with Ergon grips mounted to Ritchey Comp Beacon drop bars. Redshift Pro stem and Pro seatpost to smooth the ride out a little plus Redshift Cruise Control grips to help with hand numbness. Brooks B17 saddle. Rolling on Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25 front and back.
BAGS: Revelate Ripio framebag holding tools, water filtration system (Sawyer Squeeze, tablets and UV light), zip lock bag of extra small bits and bobs. 3L Hydrapack with hose at the handlebar for drinking. Revelate Mag Tank 2000 and Jerrycan with Leatherman and Silca torque ratchet for quick access tools. Revelate Sweetroll for clothing. Revelate Terrapin 14L for the entire sleep system including Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 and Western Mountaineering 32-degree sleeping bag. Therm-a-Rest Uberlite pad. Two feed bags The Spindle Atlanta. One carrying either a large water bottle or food and the one to have bear spray handy. For food, I have an extra roll-up drybag attached to the front of the Sweetroll.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Garmin 1030+ for navigation and hill-climbing data for a little on route nerding out. Love my Spindle feed bags. They have external pockets for electrolytes, spork, and other small bits and pieces. The 34T with 9-50 e*thirteen cassette gives so much range for flats and climbing. Two water bottles on the frame on either side of the frame bag then two extra Nalgenes on the forks (not shown in pic). Plenty of squish from the Redshift stem and post. The kLite system has been a joy over the last six months. Small can on the lower frame with flat tire tools for quick access. Spot X for satellite communication. It weights 46 pounds without food or water.

Carl Gable

Age 63 / Santa Fe, New Mexico (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing on my Salsa Cutthroat Force 1 2019. I’ve added a Lauf fork (custom Voronoi/Delaunay design by O’Leary Built Bicycles and Los Alamos Grid Toolbox), Schmidt SON28 hub, SRAM 1×11 (30/10-42T), Profile Design T1 aero bars, handlebars are double-wrapped with gel pads between the layers, Vittoria Mezcal 29 x 2.25″ tubeless tires, Time pedals, kLite Ultra light w/ dual USB charger, and a Brooks Cambium C17 Carved saddle.
BAGS: I’m running a Salsa frame pack, Revelate Sweetroll w/ Egress Pocket, Apidura saddle pack, two feed bags, and two top tube bags. I’ll also be wearing an EVOC race pack with 1.5L H2O capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The water bottles are attached to the Lauf fork with electrical tape and zip ties. This has worked fine for three years and five thousand miles. My sleep system is a Zpacks Plexamid V Beta Tent (386g), Zpacks 35F Solo Quilt, and Big Agnes AXL Air mattress. This is essentially the same setup I rode Tour Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2020 except some additional warm layers. “Good judgement is the result of experience. Experience is the result of poor judgement.”

Theo Kelsey-Verdecchia

Age 26 / Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Curve GMX+, floating on a set of Curve’s carbon dirt hoops and a pair of Vittoria Mezcal tires in 29 x 2.6. Drivetrain is a mechanical Shimano GRX 812 1×11 group, mated with SLX 4 piston brake calipers. Gearing is 34T up front and an 11-46 cassette. Bars are the Curve Walmer bars in 55cm width.
BAGS: A mix of bags I’ve been using for a long time and have had success with in the past. Revelate Sweetroll and Egress pocket up front, Apidura expedition seatpack, a custom framebag from Nightengale Threadworks, Revelate Mag Tank 2000, and a pair of Curve Rocket Pooches on the fork legs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: kLite dynamo/electronic system so I never have to worry about lights or charging electronics. Triple-wrapped handlebars to keep my hands as comfy as possible. Garmin Etrex 32x for navigation and an edge 530 for recording/metrics. 3L of water capacity in bottles, plus an extra litre available with my water filter. The rest of the kit is built with the priority of keeping me comfortable, confident, and calm for the length of the race. An extensive toolkit, a full set of waterproof gear, and warm dry clothes are all accounted for. Sleep kit is a synthetic bag from cumulus, an OR Molecule bivy, and a Therm-a-Rest Neoair Uberlite sleeping pad. Huge thanks to Brockton Cyclery and Curve Cycling for getting me set up with the best possible gear for this ride!

Tom Anderson

Age 56 / Missoula, Montana (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Tour Divide on a 2017 Salsa Cutthroat. I upgraded the wheelset to a pair of Carbon Control SL, those required a bump to a 180 rotor in the front and a change to an 11/34 in the cassette (stock 24/26 front). I’m running Continental Race King 2.2″ tires and a BarYak off the bars. I plan on adding cages for additional water capacity once I hit the warmer weather (SOBO).
BAGS: Most of the bags are by Revelate. Up front is the Harness with the older Pocket. In the back is the Viscacha and a Sprocket. In the middle is the Salsa frame bag along with the large MagTank and a Jerry Can. Down below is a Keg for tools and heavy parts.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: An old school 100oz Camelbak bladder resides in the top of the frame bag, it is marked in 20oz segments and I rarely fill it over 50%. Sleep kit in the front harness, tent and cold weather gear in the back. Pocket, MagTank, and some of the frame bag for food supplies. Garmin 530 for navigation (GAIA on the phone as back-up). Big gear specifics: REI Lumen 20 degree bag, Nemo Tensor pad, Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 tent. Luxury item: Down Booties to sleep well.

Tim Wagner

Age 43 / Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)

BIKE: I will be racing the TD on a Titanium Bearclaw Thunderhawk. My Thunderhawk runs a White Industries 32T crank with a GRX 11-46 drivetrain. I have Santa Cruz Reserve 27 wheels with Rene Herse 55mm tires. For lights, I use the kLite system with, USB charger and gravel lamp running off a SON front hub. I have Redshift handlebars, grips, and suspension stem, and I have HED aerobars with a Fred bar.
BAGS: I enjoy sewing and made my frame bags from Liteskin21 with some angry cat patches and dual-sided pockets. I also made my top tube bag and my front holster to hold my dry bag. My saddle bag is a Rockgeist Porcelain Rocket and I have a Revelate Egress on the front.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I look at my bike and it brings me joy. From the way it makes me feel, to my component choices, to the way it fits, to the personal details I’ve added that make me smile. I’m excited, ready, and grateful to line up in Banff this year.

Tommy Vater

Age 27 / Charlotte, North Carolina (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding (definitely not racing) the Tour Divide on a 2020 Salsa Cutthroat Apex 1. The bike has a new pair of Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, a super-wide PNW Coast bar, Profile Design Sonic Ergo Aero bar with a 30mm spacer, and a 30T chainring mated to an 11-42 cassette to help drag me up those climbs.
BAGS: I’m running a bolt-on Salsa frame bag that thankfully was part of the deal when I bought my bike in February as those are near impossible to find these days. I have a Revelate Designs Gas Tank, Jerrycan, Spinelock 10L, and handlebar harness holding a 20L Sea to Summit drybag. I also DIY’d a few feed bags following the BIKEPACKING.com guide. Additionally, two water bottles are stored on the front forks.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve been super happy with my sleep system made up of a REI Magma 30 sleeping bag, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir pad, and a DIY’d stuff sack style pillow. For some added luxury, I’ll be bringing a pair of bedrock classics as camp shoes.

Tyler Gatlin

Age 31 / Seattle, Washington (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the divide on my Crust Bombora. It’s rocking a white Thereabouts paint scheme and an ENVE Adventure fork. It’s wearing a pair of Rene Herse Umtanum Ridge 650B x 55 tires mounted to Enve AG28s. A SON28 dynamo is powering a kLite gravel light and USB charger. For the cockpit, I’ve got some ENVE gravel bars, Profile Design aero bars, and a Redshift suspension stem to soften it all up. I’m super excited about my new 3D printed Power Mirror saddle, the most comfortable saddle I’ve tried yet. And finally, making it all move is a Rival/GX AXS mullet with a 38T up front and a 10-52 out back.
BAGS: Revelate Designs all the way. Terrapin, Ripio, Sweetroll, and Mag Tank. The frame bag looks nearly custom fit on this frame so I got lucky there.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m using a Zpacks Duplex shelter to have a palace to myself out there. It came with me on my PCT thru-hike so it’s almost a second home by now.

Chad Velta

Age 43 / Lakeville, Minnesota (USA)

BIKE: 2021 Salsa Cutthroat converted to SRAM Eagle GX AXS rear end and Force hydraulic brakes, shifters and wireless blips. Industry 9 Enduro S wheels with Hydra Hubs. Selle Anatomica H2 saddle.
BAGS: Rogue Panda Double Decker frame bag. Revelate Spinelock seat bag, Revelate top tube and feed bags. Salsa Anything handlebar and fork cradles.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Running a PedalCell charging system off the front wheel to charge a battery bank. Frame bag bladder system with inline filtration. Using all Wahoo equipment for navigation. Nature Hike tent sleep system.

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