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Bikes of Across Andes 2022
22 November, 2022
Across Andes is back for its third edition and is an excellent way for us Europeans to close out our dotwatching calendar. Over 1,000km of riding in the high mountains of the Chilean Andes and its gravel roads demand for meticulous packing and an acute understanding of the upcoming challenges.
The race organiser's preference for a figure of eight route allows riders to experience the high and arid landscapes further north early on and later delight in the many contrasts of the southern loop: from the lush hillsides of the Villarrica National park for CP2 at Huila Huila to the flat coastal section before a final 300km run in to the finish.
Follow along with our commentary by veteran DotWatcher Peta McSharry
Constans Olivares
Name: Constans Olivares
Age: 33
Cap number: 061
Location: Chile
Bike: Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 WMN
Key items of kit: Los bolsos del marco y de manillar son plasmo, el bolso de asiento es choike, ambos de fabricación nacional.
En los bolsos llevo los elementos obligatorios, además saco de dormir y comida. En las aerobarras llevo siempre un pequeño parlante para los momentos en que me da sueño o la energía está baja.
Andrés San Martín T.
Name: Andrés San Martín T.
Age: 33
Cap number: 13
Location: Correntoso, Región de Los Lagos, Chile.
Bike: Se llama "Yulimar Rojas"; una Specialized Diverge Carbon Comp 2021 talla 52 con GRX 810 biplato 48-31T y piñón Deore XT 11-40. Ruedas DTSwiss G540 y neumáticos Pathfinder Pro 700x38c en tubeless. Sillín Specialized Power Mirror. Aerobarras Profile Design Sonic Ergo 4525a con alzadores. Un porta-caramagiola para 500ml y pedales de MTB para zapatillas con las que pueda caminar.
Key items of kit: El equipamiento de bolsos es en configuración "aero" privilegiando la alineación al eje del cuadro. El seatpack es un Ortlieb 16.5L donde llevaré toda la ropa de cambio, frío, lluvia e implementos para hacer vivac. El framebag es un Apidura Racing 4L; de los pocos del mercado que entra en el cuadro. En este irá el kit de herramientas, botiquín, comida y algo de electrónica. El toptube es un Choike TT bag de 1,2L donde llevaré comida, cargador externo, cables y pastillas de sal, además de unas cuantas cosas varias. Como punto clave llevo una mochila de hidratación de 2l la cual me ha resuelto varios problemas muy importantes de equipamiento y des-hidratación en los entrenamientos y brevets, sumando así 2,5l totales. En navegación usaré un GPS Wahoo Elemnt Roam.
Fabio Pereira
Name: Fabio Pereira
Age: 42
Cap number: 110
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Bike: Niner RLT 9 Alloy Frame, ProShock 50mm Front Suspension, Shimano Tiagra (RS405) 2x10s Hydraulic Brake/Shifter Levers, Praxis Works Alba Crank with 46/30T Chainrings, Shimano Ultegra RX Rear Derailleur with 11/40T Cassette, 650x47c Vittoria Terreno Dry Tires with Front Dynamo Hub, Brooks C17 Cambium All Weather Saddle and Shimano XT Clipless Pedals.
Key items of kit: Stanley Coffee & Prep (because nobody lives without a cup of coffee!). A mismatch of bags: Handmade Saddlebag from Aresta Equipamentos, Frame and Tank bags from Deuter, and a Chinese bottle bag from RhinoWalk. Garmin eTrex 30 GPS Unit and aerobar.
Ulrich "uba" Bartholmoes
Name: Ulrich "uba" Bartholmoes
Age: 36
Cap number: 41
Location: Girona, Spain
Bike: I'm racing on a BMC URS01 – a custom build 2022 setup with Lightweight Pfadfinder EVO Rims powered by Rotor Inspider Aldhu Carbon Crank with Powermeter and 38 + 52-10 SRAM RED eTap AXS / Eagle groupset. Everything runs on ceramic bearings by Kogel – the bottom bracket as well as the wheels. For this race I will go with some Hutchinson Touareg 40mm tubeless tires. To light up the night I swear on Supernova Lights. Without luggage my bike has less than 7kg – it helps me to love climbing a lot 😊
Key items of kit: I use a minimalistic and also super lightweight Apidura Racing Series kit for my luggage with clothes by Velocio in the saddle bag, food and spare parts in the Top-Tube- and Framepack. My focus is on the lowest possible weight, good durability and, above all, reliability. All components, from the Kogel ceramic bearing to the Hutchinson tires, have been tested for many thousands of kilometres and will for sure serve me well in the Andes.
Simon Tello Herrera
Name: Simon Tello Herrera
Age: 35
Cap number: 66
Location: Quilpue, Chile
Bike: MTB Btwin Rockrider 560 XL, alloy
Key items of kit: Ropa, alimentos, 3 botellas, cargadores, kits de reparación.
Luiz Pires
Name: Luiz Pires
Age: 44
Location: São Paulo, Brasil
Bike: 3T Exploro 2018, 3T discus plus c25 650b + WTB Venture 650x47, Rotor Vegast 36T + Shimano Deore XT Di2 + cassette Sunrace 11-50t.
Key items of kit: Northpack and Estrela Negra bags.
Hugh O’Gorman
Name: Hugh O’Gorman
Age: 39
Cap number: 98
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Bike: My bike is a Gravel Monster frame by Horse Cycles in Brooklyn. It is built up with Sram Force 22 group and Zipp 303s wheels. Tires will be Schwalbe G-Ones.
Key items of kit: Apidura bags with the usual kit inside. Top 3 items are a pink cam strap by austere manufacturing, a packable backpack and an old leatherman.
Emilio Jofré
Name: Emilio Jofré
Age: 45
Cap number: 141
Location: Curacaví, Chile
Bike: Kona Libre CR. Hope RD40 wheels on Schwalbe G-One 700x40c. Galfer rotors and pads, Orange Seal and Tubolight. Fast and safe for a tough frame. Redshift ShockStop stem and post. Syntace aerobars and Lizard Skins double tape. Ultra comfort setup.
Key items of kit: Restrap for all the bags.
Carlos Navarro
Name: Carlos Navarro
Age: 48
Cap number: 30
Location: Arica, Chile
Bike: Orbea Terra 20 año 2021
Key items of kit: Choike
Jose Miguel Muñoz (Josemi)
Name: Jose Miguel Muñoz (Josemi)
Age: 40
Cap number: 47
Location: Scl
Bike: Specialized Diverge Pro, GRX 1x Di2 (42 x 11-50t), Roval Terra CL wheels with Schwalbe G-one Bite (front) and All Round (rear) 40m tyres.
Key items of kit: Apidura aerobag, top tube bag and mud frame bag. Choike gravel seatbag. Lights: front light Magicshine RN3000 and Garmin Varía in the back. Sleep: Sol emergency bivvy, Sea to Summit Reactor liner and long underwear. Hydration: Camelbak Chase with tools and pump. Lucky item Stan's darts (to never leave the framebag).
Nicolás Raposo
Name: Nicolás Raposo
Age: 34
Cap number: 91
Location: Las Condes, Chile
Bike: Canyon Inflite
Key items of kit: Bolsos de fabricación artesanal.
Guillermo Cordero
Name: Guillermo Cordero
Age: 47
Cap number: 156
Location: Lerma, Mexico
Bike: Mosaic GT 1 AR, Rims are Roval CLX Terra, Shimano GRX 800 Groupset. Seat Selle SMP Well and aerobars are Profile Design Sonic Ergo 45 AR.
Key items of kit: Exposure Lights, Garmin Edge 1040 Solar, Restrap bags, Garmin Inreach Mini 2 and USWE Hydration Pack MTB Hydro 8L.
Bittor Muruaga Ilardia
Name: Bittor Muruaga Ilardia
Age: 49
Cap number: 157
Location: Mexico
Bike: S-Works Epic 2021
Key items of kit: Bolsos Geosmina , neumáticos S Works Pathfinder, Plato SRAM 38, Corona 10-50 SRAM AXS, Aerobarras Profile Design.
Juliana Veterano
Name: Juliana Veterano
Age: 47
Cap number: 134
Location: Dubai
Bike: Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0, Farsport wheels with Pirelli 45mm tires.
Key items of kit: Restrap bike bags and Giant lights.
Juan Pablo Rosende
Name: Juan Pablo Rosende
Age: 26
Cap number: 52
Location: Villarrica, Chile
Bike: Cannondale Topstone, Shimano GRX 2x11, 11-42T, Panaracer GravelKing SK+ 38c tires. Choike (Chilean bags) and Apidura bags.
Key items of kit: Medical kit and bicycle tools, Garmin Edge 830, Gobik and Specialized clothing. Food and electrolytes. I will stay in cabins and hostels.
Simón Tello Herrera
Name: Simón Tello Herrera
Age: 35
Cap number: 72
Location: Quilpué, Chile
Bike: Btwin Rockrider 560 aluminium size XL, Rockshox Coil fork with remote lockout. Drivetrain 2x10, Crown 38-28t, Pinion 11-36t. Deore XT brakes, Schwalbe G-Onebite 700 x40c tires.
Key items of kit: Seatbag, toptube bag and framebag by Plasmo, bottle with Tools. Magichsine RN3000 and Allty 1000 lights. GPS IGS630 by IGPSport.
Sebastian Pizarro Cristi
Name: Sebastian Pizarro Cristi
Age: 43
Cap number: 24
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: I built up my Merida Silex 7000 Carbon Fibre (2020) with a mix of Shimano GRX components, a 11-40 Cassette, and Shimano pedals. I ride the Mavic allroad (tubeless) wheels, with Pathfinder Pro tires 700X38 (image without tires). I also use a Lizard Skins bar tape of 4.6mm.
Key items of kit: Apidura frame bag, Apidura top tube bag and a Lifeline seat bag. Plus, two little bottle cages onto my bar for food and/or water (Decathlon Store). Garmin Edge 530 is my ciclocomputer.
Felipe Mura
Name: Felipe Mura
Age: 29
Cap number: 78
Location: Coquimbo, Chile
Bike: Cannondale Topstone Carbon with Shimano Ultegra RX, ruedas DT Swiss, neumáticos Schwalbe G-One Allround 700x40.
Key items of kit: bolsos Choike y Zefal
Mailen Parodi
Name: Mailen Parodi
Age: 32
Cap number: 001
Location: Chile
Bike: Canyon Grizl size extra small, Shimano GRX 815 Di2, crankset 31/48 - cassette 11/40t. Wheels DT Swiss G1800 - 650b. Tires WBT Venture 650b x 47m. Garmin Rally pedals. Aerobars Profile Design AR. Specialized Power with mirror saddle.
Key items of kit: All my bags are Choike (Chilean brand). Seat bag Gravel X-Pac fabric 12,5l. Custom framebag X-Pac fabric 3,6l. Toptube X-Pac 1,2l. Bottles Elite 950ml and 550ml.
Cesar Pupo
Name: Cesar Pupo
Age: 37
Cap number: 142
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Bike: Bike Ceepo Rindo, Shimano XT Deore Di2 1x11, chainring 36t / Cassette 11-46t. Hydraulic Brakes Shimano 105. Wheels Zipp 303s Carbon. Tires Maxxis Rambler 700x45c tubeless. Saddle is a Specialized Power Arc Expert.
Key items of kit: Bags: Seat bag micro Choike, Framebag custom full Choike, TTBag Choike and Stembag Afora.
Lucky items: Capybara keychain and baby shoes.
Lights: Rion backlights, Rion helmet light and Towild front light.
Christian Riveros
Name: Christian Riveros
Age: 50
Cap number: 100
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: Scott Addict Gravel 2022, Groupset Shimano GRX and 105, cassette 11/42t and crankset 50/34t. Roval Terra C carbón wheels. Redshift stem and FSA k-wing AGX handlebar.
Key items of kit: Apidura Race bags, Garmin Edge 530, Choike bottles bags and Serfas lights E-Lume 600 & 300.
Paulo Sérgio de Souza
Name: Paulo Sérgio de Souza
Age: 41
Cap number: 35
Location: Brasil
Bike: Sense versa 2019 and groupset Shimano Claris 16vel.
Key items of kit: 3 alforjes, 3 breteles, 2 camisas, 2 camisa segunda pele, manga longa, 1 colete corta vento, 1 manta térmica, 1 jaqueta impermeável, 2 Power Bank, Alimentos and Ferramentas.
Diego de Amesti
Name: Diego de Amesti
Age: 24
Cap number: 98
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: Bicicleta de Cross Country Merida, Big Nine, Ruedas Fulclrum 29" Neumáticos Pathfinder 700x42c, and transmisión Sram 1x12, 34-50t cassette.
Key items of kit: Iré con bolsitos Choike atados al marco, donde llevaré ropa y alimento, las herramientas irán en el estuche detrás del sillín. Dos botellas de bebestible en el cuadro y una mochila camelback, con 1 litro adicional de agua. Mi "sleep system" lo iré acomodando según evolucione la carrera. Pero en principio, tengo una cabaña reservada en el km 330 y otra en el 690. Desayunaré, almorzaré y cenaré cada día y con toda la calma, en distintos locales a lo largo del camino. Llevo municiones tipo geles, proteínas, fruta, etc para ir tragando a deshora. Con todas las ganas de disfrutar a fondo y de aportar a la competencia. Iré cruzando los dedos para que mi rodilla no me falle. Saludos, nos vemos!
Joaquín López Álvarez
Name: Joaquín López Álvarez
Age: 32
Cap number: 67
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: Frame: Kanzo Speed, 30T-24T, Fork: Forza Oryx Disc, TA 12x100mm, hidden fender mounts. Disc brakes, groupset is Shimano GRX600 2x11. Cranks: Shimano GRX 600, 172.5m, 46/30t. Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 810, Medium Cage (34T). Cage: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-32t. Submit: Forza Stratos, Compact, 420mm (cc), Gloss Black. Saddle Tile: Forza Stratos, 100mm, Gloss Black. Seat: Specialized Power Comp, 155mm. Tires: Specialized Pathfinder Sport reflect tire black 700 x 42m.
Key items of kit: Seat bag Choike 14l, frame bag Choike 3.1l. Camelbak 2l. Lights: Magicshine Ray 1600 and Bontrager 800.
Javiera Garrido
Name: Javiera Garrido
Age: 34
Cap number: 04
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: Cannondale Topstone 2
Key items of kit: Seatbag micro, aerobag, steambag y top tube bag. Full Choike bags 🫶🏻
Tomas Baeza | The Good
Name: Tomas Baeza | The Good
Age: 35
Cap number: 99
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: Specialized Diverge, GRX Di2, Hunt Superdura dynamo and Specialized tire Rhombus 700x42m. Garmin Rally Xc pedals.
Key items of kit: Apidura bags, Son lights. A lot of food and water! Garmin Edge 830.
Diego Ortiz
Name: Diego Ortiz
Age: 32
Cap number: 148
Location: Viña Del Mar. Chile
Bike: Specialized Diverge STR
Key items of kit: 4 bags, 2 lights, power naps and enjoy the experience.
Cristián Ugalde
Name: Cristián Ugalde
Age: 36
Cap number: 019
Location: Santiago, Chile
Bike: Mendiz G10 GRX 800 (2x11). Ruedas Mavic All Road y Neumáticos Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite 700x38 Tubeless con Tannus Armour Gravel
Key items of kit: Ropa: BioRacer, Zapatillas: Specialized Recon 2.0, Casco: Kask Protone, SeatBag: Blackburn, Framebag y TT Bag: Choike. Liner: Sea To Summit Thermolite Reactor. Garmin Edge 830. Luces: Garmin Varía UT800, Magicshine Allty 600, Magicshine Seemee 60.
Dulce Sánchez
Name: Dulce Sánchez
Age: 32
Cap number: 162
Location: Puerto Varas, Chile
Bike: Specialized Diverge Expert 2021, Shimano GRX 810 Di2 and Neumáticos Pathfinder tubeless 38m.
Key items of kit: Allienhead de Choike, TTBag y Comegrava (bolso delantero) de Plasmo and Bolsa Swat dentro de marco.
