Rigs of the 2024 Hellenic Mountain Race (2024)

Photos from last year’s race by Conan Thai

Created by the folks behind the Silk Road Mountain Race and Atlas Mountain Race, the Hellenic Mountain Race (HMR) is a fixed-route, unsupported, single-stage cycling race through the mountains of Greece. Last year, over 100 participants showed up for the inaugural event, and of those, only 35 riders finished. Adrien Liechti took first place, completing the grueling 940-kilometer route in just 4 days, 12 hours, and 6 minutes. Quinda Verheul from the Netherlands became the first woman to finish the event with a time of 7 days and 10 minutes.

This year, the route is slightly shorter at 883 kilometers but it’s expected to be just as beautiful and is bound to be equally challenging. It follows a mix of gravel roads, stone pathways, and tarmac along the forested slopes of the Pindus Mountains, far from the bustling beaches and islands Greece is known for. There are over 70 riders signed up for the 2024 grand depart, which takes off from Trikala on Saturday at 8 a.m. local time. There are a few familiar names, including 19-year-old Jacob Hora from the USA, Manu Cattrysse from Hamme, Belgium, who took second place at the 2022 Tour Divide, and Abe Kaufman from the USA, who has set several notable fastest known times, including the TNGA and Arkansas High Country Race.

With help from the organizers and participants, we’ve gathered bike, gear, and rider details for around 40 folks taking on the 2024 HMR. Unlike last year’s mix of gravel and mountain bikes, it seems front suspension and big tires seem to be the favored options. After checking out the rigs, head over to the event page to follow the riders’ progress live. But first, a quick update from organizer Nelson Trees.

Words by Nelson Trees

The second edition of the Hellenic Mountain Race is almost upon us. This year, we have a little over 70 riders lining up at the start in front of the towering stone columns of Meteora to tackle the 887-kilometre course that works its way down the Pindus Mountains to the picturesque fortified port town of Nafpaktos. The course has changed little since last year, with only a handful of improvements. We’ve removed the infamous Voidomoatis River Trail and moved the first checkpoint to Mount Smolikas to be able to take riders to one of the longest natural singletracks in Greece.

The first edition was characterized by some pretty atrocious weather, with almost constant rain throughout the race. The forecast for this year looks a lot better, with a few scattered thunderstorms to keep things interesting but globally pretty good conditions. Up front, we have a trio of likely contenders. As always, we’ll be sharing the story of the race through photography and video on Instagram, Brady Lawrence is working on a documentary for release after the race, and, last but certainly not least, Allan Shaw will be bringing us all the race gossip live from the race for the HMR podcast. We have a pretty strong lineup out front in both the men’s and the women’s races and have a few returnees looking for redemption after what was undoubtedly a really tough first edition.

Cristian Batista

Age 32 / Buchs, St. Gallen (Switzerland)

BIKE: Canyon Lux CF7 equipped with full XT groupset and brakes, Pirelli Scorpion XC RC 2.2″, and a pair of carbon Reynolds wheels.
BAGS: A mix of Apidura and Tailfin bags, and a light Silva 10L vest for gyros.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure light Zenith and a Lezyne 1000XL for the darkest times, Wahoo Elemnt Roam for navigation and a sol escape bivvy.

Leanne Bentley

Age 33 / Amsterdam (Netherlands)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Sour Pasta Party with a Rockshox SID Ultimate 120mm fork, Actofive crank, Schwalbe Racing Ralph/Ray tires and a SRAM Eagle mechanical drive train with Magura brakes. My wheels are Duke rims with a Hope 4 rear hub and a SON 28 dynamo hub in the front. The dynamo hub will be powering a KLite mtb light and usb charger.
BAGS: I’ll be touring to the startline from Athens which is what the Tailfin Aeropack is for. I’ll be switching this for a small seatbag for the race itself. I’m running a custom frame bag and stem bags from my own brand Carrie Gere, a Tailfin top tube bag and a Topeak front roll.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I recently added some SQ labs inner bar ends which I really like, hoping these help avoid any ulnar nerve damage. My sleep system is an Enlightenment Equipment Revelation quilt with a Therm-a-Rest Neoair XLite pad and a Katabatic Piñon bivy.

Guy Bowden

Age 45 / Morzine (France)

BIKE: Nordest Britango TR. Pike Ultimate 140mm fork. Hope Tech3/E4 brakes. Hope hubs, Newmen rims. Mezcal rear with insert, Bazza Front. SRAM drivetrain with 30T chainring.
BAGS: Wit Slingers custom frame bag. Restrap front roll in a Straight Cut harness and Restrap top tube bag. Oveja Negra seat pack (at least 10 years old and still going strong). Patagonia hip pack for extras and 2.5L water carrying capacity total.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: 5°C sleeping bag, Exped mat, SOL escape bivvy, and a pillow!

Theo Brieger

Age 18 / Fürth, Bayern (Germany)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Sour Pasta Party with a SRAM GX Drivetrain, Shimano Deore XT Brakes, and handbuilt Wheels with a SON 28/DT 240 on Bontrager Kovee Carbon Rims. It’s got the 120mm SID installed, the lighting is the M99 from Supernova, the rack is titanium from Tubus, and the bar is the Surly Moloko.
BAGS: I’ve strapped one dry bag to my bar, which contains my sleeping bag, mat, and a couple of small things, and then two dry bags at the side of the rack, which keep my main stuff. The frame and top tube bags keep a lot of small things, bars, gels, etc, and I’ll have a small backpack for additional food and water capacity.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’m carrying enough stuff for all conditions that might come, so I’ve got my Big Agnes Fly Creek tent, Exped sleeping mat, and Rab sleeping bag with me, along, of course, with a full rain kit. I’ve got a Garmin and Wahoo head unit in case one of them fails on me, and I’ve put on the Surly bar last minute, hoping that it’s going to help with my hand pain.

Manu Cattrysse

Age 35 / Hamme (Belgium)

BIKE: My titanium Chiru Divider will bring me across the steep Hellenic mountains. Wheels are Hunt XC Proven carbon with Mezcal 2.35″ tubeless tyres front and rear. Drivetrain is a mix of mechanical SRAM XX1 and X01. Gearing is 32T chainring in the front and a 10-52T cassette with an XX1 chain.
BAGS: My bags are Tailfin R&D custom Aeropack and front roll system, a 2.7L framepack and a small top tube bag. Food pouches for snacking.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: This time I will be riding as a pair with my partner Katrien, so we chose to take a Z-Packs solo tent which just fits the two of us. Lights are battery powered Lupine Wilma on the bike and a Piko helmet light and a Lezyne rear light. Garmin Edge 1040 Solar for navigation.

Dijkmans Christophe

Age 32 / Liege (Belgium)

BIKE: Cannondale Scalpel HT with a Lefty Fork 110mm. Carbon wheels with Hutchinson Kraken (front) and Brand new Python3 (rear). SRAM XX1 AXS and Level Ultimate. Fizik Argo Vento Adaptive with OneUp Dropper seat post V3.
BAGS: Full Tailfin bags kit. Proto Aeropack and Frame pack from R&D Division + Toptube flip pack 1.5L.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Outdoor Research Helium bivy, Therm-a-Rest Uberlite and Cumulus X-Lite as sleeping system. Exposure lights. Garmin Edge 1040 Solar.

Murray Crichton

Age 35 / Johannesburg (South Africa)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Giant Anthem XR 29″ dual suspension mountain bike for the Hellenic Mountain Race. It is set up 1×12 with a 34T chainring in the front and a 50T in the back. Tyres are Kenda Karma 2 Pro 2.4″.
BAGS: On the bike, I’ll have a custom-made full frame bag, a Revelate Terrapin 14L saddle bag, two custom-made feed bags on the handlebar, and the Revelate Mage Tank 2000 top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be sleeping with a SOL Escape bivy bag and an inflatable mattress with a 650-fill down jacket and thermal layers for warmth. I’ll be navigating with the Garmin Edge 530. For lighting, I’ll be using the Extreme Lights Endurance Plus 2100 lumen light with a 10200 mah external battery.

Kobe Van Dijck

Age 28 / Oud-Heverlee (Belgium)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Canyon Exceed CF6 (2022). My bike is equipped with Vittoria Mezcal/Barzo tires and custom wheels by my buddy Joon from Grelly. My plan is to climb very slowly and enjoy every descent (as fast as possible)! So let’s hope the wheels hold up. I’m not running a dynamo but will be carrying three 10,000 mAh power banks from Anker.
BAGS: Tailfin Aeropack and top tube bag, Miss Grape Internode 5 and 4 Decathlon feed pouches. Those are the bags I have and enjoy.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Therm-a-Rest uberlight and custom cumulus sleeping bag. Both are very light and expensive but I’ve enjoyed them a lot already! Big shoutout to my knees as well! (They are sh*t but I have to keep them motivated #prayforknietje).

Rene Eberhart

Age 39 / Oberursel, Hessen (Germany)

BIKE: For my second attempt, I will bring my Tantan Cycling FM061 custom built 100mm full-suspension with me. I attached an SRAM GX AXS with 10-52/30T drivetrain and added the Reverb AXS Dropper Post. The brakes are Shimano XT, all mounted to the Tumbleweed Persuader bar to have enough mounting space for equipment. The whole rig is running on Newmen Evolution SL A.30mm wheels with SON hub dynamo for some electricity.
BAGS: I am still stoked by the trustworthy Tailfin Setup. I packed much lighter this year with the Aeropack almost empty (Small Tool Pouch + food storage!), and I fitted a lighter Sleeping Gear (Rab Neutrino 200 and S2S Ultralight Air) + 1P Tent (Naturehike) and Rain Clothes to the 2x 10L Fork Packs. Electronic Spares and power bank will be in the Top Tube Bag. Nutrition will be the 2 Bottles in the Frame + my Evoc Hydro Pro Vest, and 2 Food Pouches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Nothing special apart from the custom frame I guess. Actually, the idea for the lettering was created during the first edition of HMR, where I joked with a new-found friend about Velominati Rules after I had to scratch. I absolutely LOVED the idea, and few weeks after I realized it and ordered two custom made frames. Let’s see whether it was worth it!

Michael Gaffey

Age 48 / Boston, Massachusetts (USA)

BIKE: I am mashing on my 2021 Kona Rove LTD, fitted with a 760mm Envy flat bar and XTR components. I have the Exposure Revo light and Garmin Edge 1030 Plus. I roll on WHISKY No.9 30w Rims 29″ with Maxxis Rambler tires 700x50mm (45mm rear), with a SON Dynamo hub and rear DT Swiss hub 180. I run a 1×12 Shimano SLX crank, 30T chainring, 11-51T cassette, XTR SPD pedals, Redshift suspension stem and seat post, and a Selle Italia SLR Superflow saddle.
BAGS: CamelBak Chase 8 Vest (2L bladder), Topeak top tube bag (Sinewave Revolution charger), Moosetreks stem feed bag, Ortlieb frame 6L (3L bladder, pump & layers) and 16.5L seat bag (sleeping kit).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Less is more with these slimy crawling ascends.

Sean Geivett

Age 32 / San Francisco, California (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Hellenic Mountain Race on a 2023 Santa Cruz Highball CC. The bike will roll on Vittoria Mezcal 2.25” tires mounted to spicy Reserve 28 XC rims laced to DT Swiss 350s. A SRAM AXS GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain with a 28T Aarn Direct Mount chainring will assist me in my ascension of the big ol’ mountains. A FOX 34 stepcast 120mm fork for the bumpy bits. Dripping with orange anodized Wolf Tooth components. Pieces from Ritchey (Bar, stem, seat post) and buttery smooth Enduro Bearings Maxhit BB will give me a taste of home (CA). A Specialized Power saddle to caress my tushy and A Kryptonite rear light to cover my ass on the few but long stretches of road.
BAGS: I’ll be rocking a set of super light Restrap Race series bags – including two feed bags, XL top tube bag, And 6L saddle and bar bags. In addition, I have an X-Pac frame bag my good friend IVY made for me last minute before my trip to give me a little bit more room for Tzatziki.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My contact points on my bars are a highlight for sure; a set of SQ labs ergo grips and bar ends will keep most of the feeling in my fingertips. I am also happy to have some fresh kit and down puffy (that will act as my sleeping bag) from Pas Normal. And last but not least, I’ll cram Satchets of CARBS Fuel somewhere to keep me fueled and moving when going gets tough.

Sebastian Golisch

Age 34 / Koeln, NRW (Germany)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my Sour Pasta Party with 120mm Fox 34 Fork, Hope brakes, 1×12 SRAM X01 drivetrain with 32T chainring, and 10-50T cassette, Vittoria Mezcal tires, sleep system should be comfy with STS Spark 1, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir and Outdoor Research Helium bivy.
BAGS: Bags are from Revelate Designs and Apidura: harness with Egress pocket, feedbags, Terrapin seat bag, and long top tube bag. I will also carry a Camelbak vest with a bladder.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: All gear has been tested over the years. Looking forward to racing in Greece again.

Daniel Gona

Age 43 / Zurich (Switzerland)

BIKE: Spot Rocker with Formula suspension and brakes. Shimano drivetrain, Bike Yoke dropper, Wolf Tooth and OneUp parts. Ergon and Crank Brothers contact points. Newmen/SON wheels with Vittoria tires and rear insert. Wahoo, Garmin, and Suunto electronics. Exposure lights.
BAGS: Oveja Negra, Ortlieb, Apidura, Acre bags, DrJ0n handlebar mount.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Befree water filter, SQlab innerbarends, Igaro USB thingy.

Bahadır Gungor

Age 35 / Goteborg (Sweden)

BIKE: Brother Cycles Big Bro frame, Nordest Kutxo fork, Curve Walmer bars, Sram AXS Force/X01, E13 Helix 9-50T cassette, Absolute black 28T chainring, Hope RX4+ calipers and rotors, wheels are WTB CZR i30’s (28h) laced with Sapim CX ray’s to a DT350 in the back and a SP Dynamo in the front. Tires are 2.35″ Vittoria Mezcal. kLite kit for lighting and charging.
BAGS: Custom THLP framebag, Revelate Designs Spinelock seat bag, Mountain Feedbags, handlebar harness, and Mag-Tank top tube bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I love my Curve Walmer bars! I’ve completed the Tour Divide and Rhino Run on this setup since I got it last year. If it aint broken, don’t fix it?

Marco Hopfinger

Age 40 / Wurzburg (Germany)

BIKE: My Raw Liteville H-3 MK4 hardtail consists of the following parts: the fork is a RockShox RS1. I’m rolling on HEXENWERK Handbuilt Carbon Wheels. I brake with Magura MT7 brakes. SRAM X01 drivetrain and Easton cranks.
BAGS: My framebag is homemade. There is a water bladder inside. The top tube bag and the saddlebag are from Restrap. The fork bag and the lower framebag are ACID parts of the Brand Cube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The bike’s geometry in combination with the RS1 inverted fork.

Jacob Hora

Age 19 / Victor, Idaho (USA)

BIKE: I will once again be riding my Pivot Les with a Fox Factory 34 fork. The bike is kitted out with a Shimano 12-speed XTR drivetrain. I am running Industry Nine Ultralite 24h wheels with 2.25″ Victoria Mezcal tires. Some special notes are the Cane Creek bar ends, a OneUP v3 120mm dropper, a Fizik Vento Antares, and a Wolf Tooth 30T chainring.
BAGS: My full bag set is from Tailfin. I am using a R&D frame bag, I like how it allows me to still run a bottle if I want to. I am using two tailfin top tube bags and a 3L down tube bag. All use the Tailfin strap system, so I don’t have to worry about velcro rubbing on my frame.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am very excited to be using a dropper post on this adventure rig for technical descending. I am also looking forward to seeing how far I can push the battery life of my Garmin 1040 solar. In addition to my bike bags, I will be using a Camelbak chase 8L for food, water, and personal gear. Lastly, I am running Exposure bike lights, one on the bar and one on my helmet.

Abe Kaufman

Age 41 / Harrisonburg, Virginia (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the Hellenic Mountain Race on a Canyon Exceed hardtail with a Fox 34SC 120mm fork, 1×12 SRAM AXS drivetrain with a 32T chainring and 10-52T cassette for all the climbing ahead. The co*ckpit features comfy Ergon grips and some inner bar ends wrapped with bar tape that can be used for an aero position for the very few flat sections on the route. Contact points are rounded out with Shimano XTR pedals and an Ergon saddle. Tires are the speedy Continental Race Kings with a CushCore insert in the rear for a little extra protection.
BAGS: Rain gear, spares, and my sleep system are stored in an Apidura saddlebag and half-frame bag. The top tube bags will be used to store extra snacks and electronics close at hand.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Fenix lights with two Nitecore power banks to keep me riding through the dark. A bivy, Therm-a-Rest pad and pillow will hopefully allow me to catch a few hours of rest when needed!

Lukas Klement

Age 29 / Kourim (Czech Republic)

BIKE: My bike is custom-painted with ZEBRA print and decorated with an inscription in Hebrew that says the Israeli phrase for “Good people in the middle of the road.” This bike has completed the SRMR, AMR and, Discover Israel race. I’m using new Ergon GT-1 grips.
BAGS: Apidura bags, saddle bag for clothes, won’t be sleeping much so don’t need as much. In the frame bag I’ll have stuff for repairs, food, hygiene, and spare T-shirt. Top tube bag for electronics and stuff I want to keep handy. I’ll still have a vest with a water bladder because it’s supposed to be warm and I’ll need space for food.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Small duck for luck, a camera to capture memories, and new Polartech Alpha toe socks from my Grandma.

Guilhem LaBuche

Age 28 / Lyon (France)

BIKE: OK, it’s a bit heavy, but once I get to the top, I can let off the brakes on the descent without worrying too much about breaking something. And it’s so fun to ride. It’s a simple and robust setup (in my opinion) with a solid SLX drivetrain and a Fox 36 140mm fork.
BAGS: I keep it low-tech, simple, and up-cycled as much as possible. I made a frame bag from an old high-visibility waistcoat (I can put some food and tools in there, but it’s not waterproof). I also returned my old frame bag, which didn’t fit in this frame, with a PVC tube and some zip ties. I have a little wooden plate under the saddle (which is not wriggling because it’s zip-tied very tight) where I can strap my dry bag with my sleeping bag in there. And, finally, two little Ortlieb fork bag that are really waterproof and easy to clip on and off.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I don’t have a proper GPS. I’ll use my phone in airplane mode in my pocket, with power banks. I’m used to it, it works well for me with the OSMand app (it’s free and open source, in my opinion, it’s THE best app for bikepacking, and I’m not paid for telling you that, sadly). I did the European divide trail last year with this; it was nice!

George Lentzas

Age 33 / Athens (Greece)

BIKE: I’ll be racing this year on my trusty Specialized Epic XC bike, since the PTSD from participating on my gravel bike last year is still there. The full suspension won’t help on the uphill but will make the downhills a bit more fun. SRAM Eagle, 1×12 with 32T chainring and 10-52T cassette, will try to help me reach the finish line.
BAGS: All bags from Tailfin, harness from Ena bags in Athens. I will be counting on the Fenix lights, with a couple of extra batteries, to guide me through the thick night in the unwelcoming yet beautiful Greek mountains.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Adidas Terrex and 5/10 will take care of me through rain or heat, with some Merino 7mesh additions and a Rapha rain jacket. Sea to Summit Spark sleeping system will create a night shelter for some rest. My gear highlight is a Spotify list for when the going gets tough, plus a feedbag full of Haribos for when the going gets tough.

Joachim Lindhardt

Age 34 / Copenhagen (Denmark)

BIKE: I’ll be riding my custom-made steel hardtail built by brothers Ben and Ari in Copenhagen. The frame is welded by Ari Cycles, and all the pieces are put together by BENBEN cycles. I’m running 55mm (2.2″) René Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, with the front wheel built around a SON dynamo hub. SID 100mm travel fork. 30T chainring with a 10-52T cassette, SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain.
BAGS: Frame bag is custom-made by Witslingers.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: After finishing the Atlas Mountain Race, my fingers were numb, so I’m looking forward to testing Ergon GP1 grips. The weather forecast says my Albion rain kit will be a big highlight as well.

Henry Merk

Age 35 / Bavaria (Germany)

BIKE: Pivot Mach 4 SL with Fox 32 Fork/Fox Float DPS Damper, SON28 and DT Swiss 350 Hubs, Continental Race King tires. Shimano XT M8100 Groupset, 30/10-51T gearing, Shimano XT trail brakes and XT trail pedals for comfort. Stem, Handlebar and Seatpost are from Newmen.
BAGS: All bags from Revelate Designs.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Klite lighting and charging system. Wahoo Bolt for navigation, smartphone as backup.

Emma Missale

Age 26 / Copenhagen (Denmark)

BIKE: I’ll be riding an Orbea Alma H30 digital Lavander with FOX 32 suspension fork. Wheelset is self-laced Wizard Wheels carbon rims with Hope Pro5 rear hub and Son Dynamo front hub connected to Son front light and Supernova rear light. The tire choice is Maxxis Rekon Race 2.4″. The brakes are Hope Tech 4×2, and the transmission is a mix of SRAM AXS XO 12-speed 11-52T and SRAM XX1 crankset. Other small bits are Thomson seat post and stem, Brooks C15 carved saddle, and SQLab grips and bar ends.
BAGS: Bags are mainly Brooks Scape; saddle bag, handlebar bag, top tube and two feed pouches. The frame bag is a custom handmade one from THLP, so it fits my tiny frame.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Definitely a hard one to decide…but maybe the Aarn 28T silver chainring to climb up and the Fizik Terra Ergolace for when I’ll have to walk. Radar EV with photochromic lenses is also a must for me.

David Nicholls

Age 37 / London (United Kingdom)

BIKE: A new to me 2021 Trek Supercaliber with 100mm of travel on the front and 60mm on the back. 30T chainring and 10-50T cassette should help me spin up the enormous amount of climbing, and a SON dynamo hub will power my Sinewave Beacon light and plethora of electronics. I’ll be rolling on stock Bontrager rims and the ubiquitous Mezcals (2.25″) with tan walls for extra speed.
BAGS: Bivvy bag strapped to my bike, Salsa top tube bag, Revelate feed bags, and Alpkit dry bag out front strapped to the immense Mission Control deck from Drj0n, which also mounts my Garmin and light.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Lots of wet weather kit and a RAB storm bivi bag for the nights where it’s nice enough to bivvy. Navigation will come from the Garmin Edge 1030+, and will carry more water and a few bits in my trusty Pedaled Odyssey Hydration Vest. Testing out a waxed chain (using Silca Secret Chain Blend) topped up with Silca Super Secret Wax to try and boost the longevity of the drive train. Exposure headlight for the helmet for the techy nighttime descents.

Davy Patterson

Age 53 / Haventafoggy, Donegal (Ireland)

BIKE: Salsa Fargo rigid steel, 32 x 21T Single Speed (every birthday that passes I add a tooth on rear), XT cranks, Hope BB, Surly rear cog, SRAM chain, Thompson seat post, Avid BB cable braking, Maxxis Ikon rubber, Fenix PD35 front lighting, Etrex 30 nav, 3 x 1L elite water bottles.
BAGS: Salsa full frame bag, Ortiloeb seat pack, Apidura feed bags x2.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: OMM trail run vest, rain gear by Mountain Hardware, merino socks x3, Black Bush Whiskey multiple stashes for rainy nights.

John Roe

Age 59 / South Wales (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll be riding the HMR 2024 on my titanium Sonder Broken Road. The bike has a pair of Maxxis Ikon 2.35” tires fitted and runs a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed (10x50T) groupset with a 30T chainring. There’s a SON Dynamo upfront with a Hope hub on the rear. I also have Jones H-Bars fitted for comfort as well as to give me more co*ckpit space.
BAGS: I’ve got a Tailfin AeroPack on the rear, an Alpkit Bar Bag out front, as well as a mix of top tube bags that I’ve picked up over time. Additionally, I have a pair of cargo cages fitted to the forks and a tool bottle fitted under the downtube.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My Brooks C17 saddle, along with my kLite powered by the dynamo that’s complimented with a helmet-mounted Fenix HM61R. I’ll also have my Garmin eTrex 32x as a backup for my Garmin Edge.

George Sales

Age 23 / United Kingdom

BIKE: Scott Spark RC, Shimano XT groupset, 28T chainring, Roval wheels, and Fox suspension.
BAGS: All bags are from Restrap, including the custom frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Packing light, with lots of room for snacks. The bike is set up to have fun on the descents!

Sebastian Sarx

Age 37 / Innsbruck (Austria)

BIKE: I will be riding the Hellenic with my Sour Pasta Party. For comfort, the bike is equipped with a 120mm Rockshox Sid UL and 2.2″ Continental Raceking on Duke alloy rims. I ride a 32/51T gearing with XTR shifting and brakes.
BAGS: My beloved Apidura Race kit and hydration Vest
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Less is more with 27,000 metres of climbing ahead. So the highlight is a very light and reliable (no carbon) setup.

Isabelle Scheyltjens

Age 35 / Bierbeek, Vlaams-Brabant (Belgium)

BIKE: My companion on the Hellenic Mountain Race will be a 2021 Canyon Exceed CF 5 with a modified 1×12 drivetrain with a 30T chainring and 10-51T cassette. The bike features a 2.25” Racing Ray (front) and Racing Ralph (back) combination on a custom wheelset equipped with a SON dynamo hub. I will be using the kLite Ultra adventure lighting system with a dynamo.
BAGS: I’m using a collection of different brands based on my personal liking with my favorite Revelate Designs Terrapin seat pack, snack bags, and a Joey Downtube bag for tools I hopefully won’t need during the race. I’m using an Ortlieb Handlebar pack, Apidura top tube bag, and a sturdy Miss Grape frame bag
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: As a sleeping system, I’ll be carrying a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite sleeping mat and a Cumulus X-Lite 200 sleeping bag. Just to be sure, I will bring my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent. A Garmin 840 will guide me through the Greek mountains.

Levi Schmidt

Age 19 / Giessen (Germany)

BIKE: Mason InSearchOf with SRAM GX AXS and a RockShox SID 100mm fork.
BAGS: A mix of Tailfin, Road Runner Bags, and a Witslingers frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I will be carrying 7mesh rain gear, Sealskinz waterproofs, and a Wahoo for navigation.

Katrien De Smet

Age 37 / Hamme (Belgium)

BIKE: Trek Pro Caliber 9.7 with SRAM GX AXS. A 1×12 drivetrain with 30T chainring and 10-52T cassette. HUNT Trail Wide Wheels with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35″ tires.
BAGS: Tailfin Flip top tube, Tailfin Aeropack, Tailfin downtube pack, and Pro food pouches.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Because of all the climbing, I’m not running a SON dynamo this time, but a Lupine light and headlight with a large battery pack. A ZPacks tent will keep us dry and give us a lot of flexibility during most likely wet nights. I will carry a 1L bottle on the bike and 2L of extra capacity in a Camelback Chase vest. I will also take a Katadyn BeFree water filter, just in case.

Rory Stuart

Age 25 / Bristol (United Kingdom)

BIKE: Curve GMX+ Steel with a good dose of Hope Tech parts. I designed and manufactured the steel saddlebag support (designed to fit two 1.5L water bottles and with mount the rear light) and steel front light bracket. For the drivetrain, I’m running a 34T chainring with an 11-51T cassette out back.
BAGS: I’ve made my own framebag using my mum’s sewing machine. The rest are off the shelf: an Ortlieb saddlebag, Apidura top tube bag, feed bag, and hydration pack.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ve bikepacked to the start of the race and will continue after the finish, so my bike setup is a compromise between comfort and being optimized for the HMR. I will be swapping out my touring sleep setup for a summer bag, Outdoor Research Helium bivvy, and tiny Alpkit sleeping pad. I’m running Velo Orange Crazy Bars. I’m still a road cyclist at heart, so the bull horns just made sense, and the large sweep is perfect for touring.

Dominic Taylor

Age 27 / Derbyshire, England (United Kingdom)

BIKE: My noble steed is a Sonder Camino Ti V3. Running Campy Ekar 13s 10-44T with a SRAM Rival crankset, fitted with a 34T Ratio chainring. Ergon Seatpost for comfort. 650b Zip 101 XPLR with 2.2” Continental RaceKing Protection tubeless.
BAGS: Apidura 7L racing saddle bag. 2.3L frame pack, 1.2L top tube pack, 1.7L downtube pack, all from Tailfin. PEdALED 7.5L handlebar bag and a small Apidura food pouch. I’ll have a Rab 12L running vest for an extra 1.5L water and food capacity. 2x 550ml bottles on the bike.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be navigating using a Garmin 540 Solar with my phone for backup. Front light is an Exposure Torro and rear light is a Exposure Trace. All powered with a Anker 737 battery pack and a 100w fast charger. My sleep kit is an Outdoor Research Helium Bivvy with a merino wool liner and a Therm-a-Rest Neoair 3/4 pad.

Jack Taylor

Age 33 / London (United Kingdom)

BIKE: Sour Pasta Party + XT Components. Wheels are DT Swiss with Son 28 and Hope Pro 5 hub combo, built by Schweinehund in Berlin.
BAGS: Frame bag by NIB Workshop, top tube bag by Tailfin and front harness by Revelate.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A Bell.

Stephen Thompson

Age 35 / Bend, Oregon (USA)

BIKE: I’ll be racing the Hellenic Mountain Race on a 2018 Moots Mountaineer with a Fox 34, YBB, and a transfer dropper. Rubbers are Maxxis Ikons. Shimano XT 2X drivetrain will hopefully keep my legs spinning on some of the steeper climbs. Mason X Hunt wheels with a SON up front powering a kLite, a Garmin 840, and a DT350 in the rear.
BAGS: Custom Rockgeist VX41 Framebag and matching Rockgeist Honeypots, toptube and saddlebag. Capacity for 3-4 liters of water.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: My bedroll is a Patagonia 50F sleep sack and a tyvek bivy bag. FARR bar mini Aero Bar for co*ckpit and The Lord of the Rings on audiobook to keep me company.

Alex Van Tuyl

Age 32 / London (United Kingdom)

BIKE: Scott Scale 930. Completely standard spec, Scott alloy wheels, Shimano XT, Fox forks. Nothing exotic!
BAGS: Full Apidura expedition bag set. Handlebar bag, frame bag, and saddlebag. Using a Salomon running vest for hydration rather than carrying water on the bike.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Moonshine lights with 2 battery packs, Outdoor Research bivvy, Sea to Summit sleeping bag and roll Matt. Wahoo Roam for navigation and my trusty Lock Ness monster lucky charm.

Maarten Vanhaverbeke

Age 39 / Brakel, Flemish Ardennes (Belgium)

BIKE: It’s always the same bicycle. I have now successfully completed AMR 24, Tour Divide 23, Granguanche 23 & 22, ACT3 23, and Taunus 22 on my Mason InSearchOf. This whole time, it’s been equipped with Ritchey Beacon drop bars, a SWS Wheels hand-built wheelset (SON/DT 240), René Herse Fleecer Ridge tires, and a “Shramano” groupset. The RockShox SID served me well for AMR, so it’s staying on there for now. I’m not sure why I’m bringing the aero bars; I guess I’ll just have to use them while climbing to justify it.
BAGS: My setups are never light, I might finally be coming to terms with
that. While it may look like I’m carrying more than for AMR in February, I’m actually carrying less. I’ve chosen a roomier and more practical setup as I’m also preparing for this year’s Silk Road Mountain Race, where I’ll be using the same bags with a warmer sleeping bag, some extra layers, and a tent instead of a bivy. The bags: Revelate Designs feedbag, seat bag (Spinelock), and framebag (Rifter). Tailfin top tube pack. Miss Grape ILCOSO handlebar bag mount with a 7L Revelate Pronghorn drybag. Camelbak Chase 4 hydration vest with a 1.5L bladder. Apidura 1.5L bladder in the framebag, plenty of room for extra/bulkier food items in there.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: A good sleep is everything. Cumulus bivy (Shield) and
sleeping bag (X-Lite 200), Therm-a-Rest UberLite mattress (if this thing punctures again, I’m ditching it). KLite lights and charger, Petzl Tikka headlamp for extra light. Garmin Edge 1040 Solar for navigation. Inreach tracker.

Szymon Wo

Age 40 / Poland

BIKE: S-Works Epic HT 2019 with 28T Garbaruk in front, 10-50T in the back, short aero bar, double lights in front. Vittoria MEZCAL 29 x 2.35″ tubeless tires.
BAGS: Custom Triglav Works in frame and saddle, with some Riverside bottle bags and Rockbros on-frame bag.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: The default water capacity is 5 liters: Apidura 3L bladder + 2x 1L bottles on handlebar. It can be extended with a front top-loaded drop bag. 28T in front is supposed to help on steep climbs. Taking 6 spare tubes, just in case.

Davide Zanardo

Age 37 / London (United Kingdom)

BIKE: I’ll be riding a Canyon Lux Trail CF 7. I went for some Vittoria Barzo 2.35″ at the front and Mezcal 2.25″ at the back. I’ll be using a 30T chainring and a 10-51T cassette. I recently swapped the saddle for a Fizik Argo 00. I have some SQ Lab innerbarends, but with all of that climbing, no aero bars, I hope I won’t regret it.
BAGS: I’ll be using my trusty Apidura kit. Mostly the Backcountry range with a Racing 7L saddle bag. I might swap it last minute with a slightly larger Expedition saddle bag in case I need to carry some more stuff.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I’ll be using an Exposure Toro light. Sleeping kit: Sea to Summit Spark 1 sleeping bag, Therm-a-Rest Uberlite mat and SOL bivvy. Garmin 1040 for navigation and a Salomon Adv 12 vest for most of the food and water. Fizik Terra Ergolace X2 for tackling all of the HAB sections.

Further Reading

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