Bikes of Tour Te Waipounamu 2024

Emma Flukes

Name: Emma Flukes

Age: 35

Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Aus

Bike: Pivot Les SL, size extra tiny. Fox Factory 34SC 100mm bounce fork. Shimano mixed XT/XTR brakes and driveline with 12-speed 32T x 10-51. DT Swiss carbon rims with DT240 hubs and Vittoria Mezcal 29x2.35 rubber. Cockpit of Thomson carbon bars with ESI foamie grips, BBB bar ends straight outta 1990. May run a QR clamp on my slender 27.2mm carbon seatpost for 3cm of drop when things get rowdy, still undecided. The wheels, cranks and frame are carpeted with commercial signage-grade reflective tape and vinyl so this thing lights up like a Christmas tree under headlights. No excuses for not seeing me :)

Key items of kit: Kit is a wild mix of brands that just work. Kicking off with the bomber Oveja Negra Gearjammer saddle pack. Revelate feedbags, top tube and downtube bag. Apidura fork bags and packable backpack. Exposure front/helmet lights and Knog rear flashers. Garmin eTrex and Edge for nav redundancy and because I'm a nerd. inReach for safety. Sleep gear is a Montbell bivy, Therm-a-Rest pad, Z-Packs hoodless bag paired with a Katabatic Gear down hat thingo and Patagonia puffer. Sometimes I run cold so I carry A LOT of clothes, but I know this kit and I trust it to keep me safe.

Lewis Ciddor

Name: Lewis Ciddor

Age: 34

Location: Canberra, Aus

Bike: Specialized Epic Evo

Key items of kit: Terra Rosa framebag is crucial for storage. Short legs and a dropper on a dualie means almost nothing bar a spare tube and some spares fit under the saddle. Revelate bar bag with my sleep kit. Osprey Duro running vest for water, light layers and food overflow.

Mark Watson

Name: Mark Watson

Age: 52

Location: Lyttelton, New Zealand

Bike: Otso Fenrir Stainless 29er with Rock Shox SiD Ultimate Fork & Shimano XT drivetrain (10-51 cassette with 28 or 30T chain ring); Magura brakes (2 pot & 4 pot); Fox Transfer dropper post; Vittoria Mezcal 2.35 tyres; flat pedals. I'll be running a Selle Anatomica X2 saddle instead of the one pictured.

Key items of kit: Revelate Designs bags throughout; Big Ages Fussell UL sleep quilt and Sol Escape bivvy bag with a small bit of 4mm closed cell foam; Ultimate Direction Adventure Vest.

Eileen Schwab

Name: Eileen Schwab

Age: 38

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Bike: I'll be on the same bike with a nearly identical setup to TTW 2022 – Stanton Sherpa Ti 29er, Sid 120mm fork, 1x12 XT, 30t chainring, Wheelworks wheels, Vittoria Mezcal/Barzo 2.35 tyres, Ergon grips and SQlab inner bar ends, Brooks pro saddle.

Key items of kit: Bags: Wayward Riders Louise harness and Ortlieb 7L dry bag, plus front harness prototype and dry bag, Porcelain Rocket frame bag and Revelate Mag tank, Montane trailblazer backpack. Hoping for quality sleep and relaxation time with a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite mat, Enlightened Equipment quilt, and a tent fly (homemade by my dad!)

Steve Halligan

Name: Steve Halligan

Age: 47

Location: Hanmer Springs

Bike: Binary Bicycles HAVOK, Easton flat bars with Profile Designs aero bars Enve Rims, DI2 shifting. Rock Shox SID 100mm front suspension.

Key items of kit: Apidura Packs, Thermarest Mat, Zpacks sleeping bag, Sol Bivy, Mont Bell waterproof jacket and pants. Enlightened Equipment Apex synthetic down jacket. kLite front and back lights running off SON Dynamo Hub. JULBO Eyewear and Helmet.

Carey Lintott

Name: Carey Lintott

Age: 31

Location: Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

Bike: Canyon Lux Trail full suspension 120mm XC bike.

Key items of kit: Aeroe front and rear racks with drybags, Paper Roads snack pouches. Big Agnes 2p copper spur tent, Exped mat, sleeping bag. Nitecore light.

Mark Hurst

Name: Mark Hurst

Age: 47

Location: Woodend, Australia

Bike: Why Cycles El Jefe

Key items of kit: New custom frame bag made locally by the legendary Grub Homemade. Various assortment of other bags from Revelate Designs. Hoping for some comfort with my sleeping setup with Sea to Summit bag, inflatable mat and an old personal favourite my lightweight bivvy bag. Electronics will be powered by a couple of power banks. Other kit fairly standard. Can’t wait to soak up the NZ scenery.

Doug Hilson

Name: Doug Hilson

Age: 30

Cap number: 96

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Bike: Norco Revolver HT 3 2019 Carbon. DT Swiss M1900 wheelset. 29" Vittoria Mezcal 2.1 in the rear, Maxxis Ikon 2.2 in the front. Currently 32 x 11/42t. Fox Performance Elite 34s 130mm. Brooks C17. Deore XT 4-Pot brakes on 160mm rotors, hah!

Key items of kit: Ritchy mini aerobars, not for speed but for hanging the reasonably sized handlebar bag. 2x homemade feeder bags for the Nalgene and snacks. Homemade frame bag using parts from my flatmates destroyed tent. Fenix HM65 headtorch and a very average front light. Mons Royale to keep me warm, POC gear to keep me safe and Ground effect on the gentle areas. Sleep system will be a Outdoor Research Helium, Exped Mat and REI sleeping bag from the seconds bin Small gas, steel mug and burner for 'heating' water. Small Osprey pack for a 2L bladder and hike a bike sections.

Brian Alder

Name: Brian Alder

Age: 59

Location: Takaka, New Zealand

Bike: Once again I'm riding my Santa Cruz Chameleon, with a few changes from last time. A carbon handlebar and a new Fox 34 SC fork reduce the weight of the front end, tyres will be Mezcals front and rear, 30T chainring, 10-51 shimano 12 speed drivetrain, fixed seat post with quick release, bar ends and Ergon grips.

Key items of kit: Running Apidura bags as always, with my original custom frame bag. The upper section of the frame bag will be primarily food storage and it's slightly larger size in combo with the Apidura backcountry backpack means I can get away without a front roll this time around. Full sleep kit (bag, bivvy, foam mat). Straps that attach to the top & down tube for the big HAB/ carries. Fenix lights on helmet and bars, no dynamo.

Emma Bateup

Name: Emma Bateup

Age: 24

Location: Wellington, NZ

Bike: Haven't changed much from '22, Juliana Wilder cc carbon frame with all the flash bits, Fox Factory 34 Stepcast 120mm fork & Fox Factory DPS shock (115mm travel), speedy Reserve 29er wheels paired with Maxxis XC tyres, SRAM X01 AXS drive train, 34t chainring, Reverb 150mm dropper post for big sends, Burgtec MK5 pedals cos #flatpedalswinmedals, funky inner bar horns and Burgtec GM grips for happy hands.

Key items of kit: Clothing from the legends at Ground Effect, Smith Optics Network helmet & Wildcat glasses, custom @dirtbag.utility.co framebag & Apidura Backcountry top tube bag for all the snacks, Apidura Backcountry handlebar bag for bivvy bag & Marmot Hydrogen sleeping bag, BP Bike Bags keeping things dry, OneUp EDC tool in steerer tube, BBB Rollpack seatbag for other tools/spares, Camelbak Octane 9 vest for water & more snacks, Ledlenser H7R Core headlamp on helmet paired with small bar light, Garmin eTrex20 for nav.

Phill Davies

Name: Phill Davies

Age: 40

Location: New Plymouth, New Zealand

Bike: Binary Super Bee, single speed 34x19, 120mmRockShox SID Fork, Shimano XT crank, SQ lab bars and inner bar ends. DT Swiss wheels, KMC SL chain

Key items of kit: Stealth Bags: Handle bar and frame bag, Revelate Bags: Seat bag and seat tube bag, Restrap toptube bag and Apidura down tube bag, running vest, bivy bag and Sea to Summit sleep mat.

Daniel Gona

Name: Daniel Gona

Age: 43

Location: Zürich, Switzerland

Bike: Custom Spot Rocker with Formula suspension and brakes, Shimano drivetrain, OneUp dropper and bar. Ergon / CrankBrothers contact points. Custom Newmen wheels with Vittoria tires and Rimpact insert. Mix of Ortlieb and Apidura bags, secured with DrJ0n / Voile. Wahoo / Garmin / Suunto electronics, powered from SON dynamo with Igaro USB thingy. Exposure lights.

Key items of kit: Proper shoes, rucksack, tent, trowel and plenty of space for food for the backcountry. InnerBarends and headphones for the gravel. Luxury item: a beard brush.

Benjamin Carrell

Name: Benjamin Carrell

Age: 61

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Bike: Trek Supercaliber 9.8, 1x12 with a 11-50 rear cassette + 30T chainring

Key items of kit: Son dynamo with kLite lights to show me the way, Revelate + Stealth bags, Garmin Edge 1040 to keep me on track, Sea to Summit mattress + Spark 2 sleeping bag and Outdoor Research Bivy.

Karen Le Sueur

Name: Karen Le Sueur

Age: 54

Location: Takaka, New Zealand

Bike: Binary SuperB with Rohloff 14 speed hub.

Key items of kit: Frame bag, front roll bag and rear bag made by Tony Le Sueur. Revelate Tool bag and Topeak top tube bag. Big Agnes single person tent. Therm-a-Rest Neolite sleeping mat. Son dynamo hub. kLite lights.

Marcus Baguley

Name: Marcus Baguley

Age: 53

Location: Wellington / Pōneke

Bike: 29er - Canyon Exceed CF/SL

Key items of kit: My notable items include a Zpacks walking pole to prop up my MLD SoloMid shelter. For the HAB sections, the combination of my walking pole, the Restrap pack system, and my Lauf fork (I hope) will serve me well. I am nervously running Shimano Di2 XT gearing, and a SON dynamo/Sinewave light. For Nav, the Wahoo Bolt backed up by a Garmin i66 is my trusted combination.

Adam Carlson

Name: Adam Carlson

Age: 46

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Bike: Kona Honzo Al 2018, 1x12 Shimano 10-51t with 32t chain ring. Rear is a lovely DT Swiss 350 rear hub. SP Dynamo up front to level out the fast rolling Mezcals. Farr Moto Bar has good sweep, good rise and is comfy.

Key items of kit: I like sleeping well, so I have a tent, sleeping mat and bag. I like coffee and hot food, so I have a metho burner in a homemade pot stand. Bags are a mixture of homemade (frame, feed and glovebox), Southern Lite Packs (front harness and top tube) and Zefal tail bag which is surprisingly still going. Navigation by the stars, feel and mostly Wahoo.

Evan Woolf

Name: Evan Woolf

Age: 41

Cap number: Slo*mo

Location: Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

Bike: Santa Cruz Highball fashioned after one of early Willys Jeeps. 12 speed Shimano mechanical, 32 teeth up front 10/45 out the back. Same same but different .

Key items of kit: Tailwind nutrition for headwinds.

Yohei Okamoto (Rider Name: TDCAB)

Name: Yohei Okamoto (Rider Name: TDCAB)

Age: 38

Location: Walyalup (Fremantle), AUS

Bike: Focus Raven with Rockshox SID forks, SRAM eTap AXS 12 speed 32t x 10-51t. Shimano SLX brakes. Enve rims on SP Dynamo front hub and DT Swiss rear hub with Maxxis Ardent Race 2.35 tyres. San Marco Shortfit Open-Fit Dynamic Saddle.

Key items of kit: kLight front light and Busch&Muller rear. Revelate Designs frame and saddle bags. Restrap top tube and handlebar packs and Bike Bag Dude feedbag. Wahoo Roam and Spot Gen 3 for GPS Tracking & Messenger.

Michael Norman

Name: Michael Norman

Age: 55

Location: Cabarita Beach, Australia

Bike: Specialized Epic hardtail 100mm front suspension, Son hub and kLite, Specialized Fast Trak tires grid casing.

Key items of kit: Sea to Summit bag, Klymit mat, Sol bivy, Fenix light, Patagonia rain wear and down jacket.

Jo Haines

Name: Jo Haines

Age: 60

Location: Wanaka, New Zealand

Bike: Specialized S-Works, 28-50t gearing, Jones handlebars, 2 wheels, tyres and brakes!

Key items of kit: Bags are a mix of Ortlieb, Revelate Designs and homemade bags/harness. Sleep system is a quilt, SOL bivvy, Xlite pad & lightweight fly. Electronics include Fenix lighting and Nitecore battery pack. Wearing Sportiva trek shoes and have 30L pack for the hike/carry sections. My lucky items are loaned gear that have done the TTW before, thanks to Nina!

Andy Hovey

Name: Andy Hovey

Age: 40

Location: Wellington, Aotearoa

Bike: Cotic SolarisMax 29er, 120mm SID fork, 1x12 Shimano XT 30t chainring drivetrain, Wheelworks wheels, Brooks Cambium seat, Vittoria Mezcals 2.35. Annnnd it's called Max.

Key items of kit: Bags – Wayward Riders Louise harness + Ortlieb 7L dry bag, Wayward Riders front harness prototype + Ortlieb 7L dry bag, Porcelain Rocket frame bag and Revelate Mag Tank 2000 from which to shovel food into my face. An excessive slumber setup with a fat Therm-a-Rest, quilt, and Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1.

Michael Hoogeveen

Name: michael hoogeveen

Age: 49

Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

Bike: 2011 S-Works Stumpjumper hard tail. Picture from Castle Hill on the last TTW.

Key items of kit: The big change from TTW'22 is my buddy Mike Wardian coming to share the journey with me. I'm hopeful that enthusiasm is enough to get it done.

Kurt Standen

Name: Kurt Standen

Age: 27

Location: Adelaide, Australia

Bike: Focus Raven 8.7, Shimano 12 speed 32x10-51, SON 28 Dynamo, K-lite, Continental Race King 2.2's.

Key items of kit: Swift Industries Frame Bag, Restrap Top Tube Bag, Apidura Saddle Bag, Tailfin Down Tube Pack, Salomon Backpack, Sea to Summit Ultralight Mat, SOL Escape Bivvy, Insulated Down Pants, Montane Down Jacket, Endura GV500 Waterproof Jacket, 2x 10,000 mAh Power Banks, Garmin Edge 840 Solar.

Tom Baker

Name: Tom Baker

Age: 41

Cap number: Big mouth strikes again

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Bike: Ritchey Ascent with 12 speed. Shimano saint pedals seem to be going good at the moment.

Key items of kit: Beautiful new hand crafted frame bag from Stealth bags in Wellington.

Austin Garden

Name: Austin Garden

Age: 47

Location: Millers Flat, Otago

Bike: Specialized Epic Expert

Key items of kit: Robo-kiwi bags, HM65R-T headlight, OR Helium bivy, Sea to Summit Spark II sleeping bag and a mat.

Matt Dewes

Name: Matt Dewes

Age: 38

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Bike: Giant XTC, 1x11, 32T front chainring, 11-46T cassette. Fox 100mm fork, Vittoria Mezcals 2.25 Tyres on carbon rims

Key items of kit: Revelate Designs bags, UltrAspire backpack, SOL bivvy, Cumulus sleeping bag, Garmin forerunner 955, Fenix BC26R light (on bars) and Led Lenser MH10 headtorch (mounted on helmet), 10,000mAh powerbank.

Richard Lindsay

Name: Richard Lindsay

Age: 54

Location: Rangiora, New Zealand

Bike: Giant XTC1

Key items of kit: Paper Roads front bag (thanks Amy!), Revelate Designs frame and saddle bags. Macpac Sololight tent, S2S S/Bag, Cooker. Toothbrush.

Kane Thornburrow

Name: Kane Thornburrow

Age: 46

Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand

Bike: Salsa Timberjack Ti 29er, 1x12 Shimano XT with Absolute Black 30T oval chainring, Rockshox SID Ultimate 120mm fork, Wheelworks front wheel with SON dynamo, Giant TRX rear wheel, comfy Brooks B17 saddle, Thomson seatpost and stem, Salsa Bend 23 degree bars with Ergon GP3 grips, 2.35" Vittoria Mezcals, Profile Designs T4+ aerobars.

Key items of kit: Full bag set by Revelate Designs, Macpac 35L backpack for the HAB, kLite Ultra front light and Fenix E28R helmet light, Nitecore powerbank, luxurious Zpacks Duplex tent, Exped sleeping mat, Sea to Summit Traveller sleeping bag, Soto cooker, Ti pot and spork, trusty eTrex for nav, clothing by Ground Effect.

Greg Edwards

Name: Greg Edwards

Age: 32

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Bike: I'll be riding my Chiru Divider titanium frame along with a Rockshox Reba 120mm fork. It's paired with a Sram X01 groupset, 34t chainring, Vittoria Mezcal 2.25's, and Shimano XT hydraulic brakes. Wheels are Hunt XC, with the front laced to a SON Dynamo hub. kLite for on the move lighting and power.

Key items of kit: My Showa ice fishing gloves. My hands get cold.

Seamus O'Donnell

Name: Seamus O'Donnell

Age: 22

Location: Nelson, New Zealand

Bike: 2016 Avanti Competitor carbon hardtail. Vittoria Mezcal tyres, 2x Shimano 11spd drivetrain, DT Swiss wheels, Deore brakes with finned metallic pads, aero-bars with the poles removed (aero-pads?), rigid post with no QR because I'm hardcore and slightly thick.

Key items of kit: Coffin tent, Torpedo7 sleeping bag, sleep mat which I am yet to try (learn on the job). Gemini Duo 2200 Multisport light kindly donated by Ms Bateup.

Matt Quirk

Name: Matt Quirk

Age: 52

Location: Wānaka, New Zealand

Bike: Chinese Full Sus XC

Key items of kit: Mix of Revelate, Restrap, custom Fernway and Southern Lite bags (frame bag not pictured - being repaired! #lastminute). Packable back pack and home brewed bike carry system (100g so no dramas if it falls apart). MYOG bivi and tarp for sleep. Beacon/SON lights/charging. No stove this time. Cold dehy good times!

Anna Gilson

Name: Anna Gilson

Age: 40

Location: Torquay, Victoria, Australia

Bike: Jeronimo Txabardo, 12sp Sram groupset, Shimano XT brakes, DT Swiss wheels, Vittoria Mezcal tyres, On One dropper, Rockshox Pike fork.

Key items of kit: My bags are true concoction of every brand available. Exposure light, OR bivvy, Sea to summit pillow and Spark III sleeping bag, BarYak expedition with carbon crossbar.

Kirsten Ashley

Name: Kirsten Ashley

Age: 38

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Bike: Juliana Joplin aka Cleo. Fox suspension, Race Face wheels wrapped in the ubiquitous Mezcal, complex cockpit arrangement - aero bars, bar ends, Ergo grips. Power saddle, dropper post! Funn flat/spd pedals.

Key items of kit: Son 28, Sinewave Beacon v2, Paper Roads and Stealth bags, Velocio Fly Free bibs, Hyperlite UltaMid 4 fly and Zpacks tub. Sea to Summit Flame sleeping bag, pillow and Ether Lite XT mat. Ultimate Direction Vesta with bladder and Skinnies sunscreen.

Dylan Pickles

Name: Dylan Pickles

Age: 26

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Bike: Surly Karate Monkey (L), Goat Cycles bottle <3. ENVE, King, and Thomson bits. Light Bicycles, DT 350, Vittoria Mezcal 2.6 (F) and 2.35 (R). 1x11 SRAM shifter and mech, Shimano chain and cassette. KS Lev and PRO Stealth Off-Road, SQlab 710 and Spirgrips for the race.

Key items of kit: Stealth Bike Bags front (custom), frame (custom), and rear (pack sack) bags, all in ULTRA 200 and best in the biz. Black Diamond Distance vest. MLD Soul bivy, CCF pad, down bag, Montane jacket and rain pants Edge 840, iPhone, Fenix bar and helmet lights, heaps of batteries Other UL tricks and ungodly volumes of drink mix. Polartec Alpha fleece, a nice pillow, and posh headphones for warm fuzzies in moments of darkness.

James

Name: James

Location: New Zealand

Bike: Over braked, over forked, and under geared drop bar Yeti ARC. GRX levers and mech, Saint calipers, DVO Diamond fork, ENVE 48-60 cm drop bar, Thomson Layback post, with pick and mix wheels wrapped in the ubiquitous Mezcal.

Key items of kit: Son28 - Sinewave Beacon V1 lights and charging. Telescopic franken-mount to see over the harness. Rogue Panda, Stealth, and Revelate bags. Garmin 530 micromanager & inReach mini. Atom Packs bum bag for my Fuji X100V. Cactus Zero on the back. Palatial Hyperlite Ultamid 4 fly w/ Zpacks tub, Sea to Summit mat, liner, and pillow & Macpac Comet bag.

Adam Rozsa

Name: Adam Rozsa

Age: -1

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Bike: Frame: Ibis DV9, 2nd Gen. Drivetrain & brakes: SRAM XX1. wheels: DT Swiss XM421 29 28H, running SON dyno up front, DT350 rear. Suspension: Fork Fox 34 Factory. Bags: Terra Rosa Gear custom frame and bar roll, Revelate Designs Vole, Wizard Works top tube, Porcelain Rocket snack bag. Lights: K-Lite.

Key items of kit: Sleep: Bivvy, inflatable pillow, down pants/jacket. Lucky item: hand woven bracelet by Odette (see top tube in pic).

Ian Davidson

Name: Ian Davidson

Age: 43

Location: New Zealand

Bike: Scott Spark 900 RC

Key items of kit: Revelate bags from Cyclewerks, PRO Aero bars with 50mm riser kit, OneUp 150mm dropper, ESI Extra Chunky grips, SP-PD8X Dynamo hub with a Sinewave Light.

Penzy Dinsdale

Name: Penzy Dinsdale

Age: 33

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Bike: Trek Roscoe 9

Key items of kit: Hyperlite 1 person tent.

Myles Gibson

Name: Myles Gibson

Age: 31

Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

Bike: Merida Big Nine 5000, Rockshox Reba 1000, Shimano XT/SLX 12S, Black Crow carbon wheels and Vittoria Mezcal Trail.

Key items of kit: Tineli Pro Elite Core Bibs, Tineli Pro Performance Jersey Julbo RUSH, SP Dyno hub, Kathmandu Comet sleeping bag. Topeak Backloader 10L saddle pack, Apidura racing long tube pack, Ortlieb handlebar pack and Specialized frame bag. Garmin inReach Mini. Garmin Edge 530. Cateye volt 1200, Blackburn dayblazer 1000 and Bontrager flare R. Kathmandu Heli R synthetic jacket, Kathmandu Andulo and Giro Gauge Boa shoes.

Grant Day

Name: Grant Day

Age: 48

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Bike: Canyon Exceed CF7, Shimano XT Groupset with 30T Chainring, Reynolds Carbon Wheels with Vittoria 2.35 Tyres - Barzo F, Mexcal R + Cushcore. Chromag Carbon Bars, Ergon GP3 Grips. Specialized Phenom Saddle.

Key items of kit: Apidura Frame, Top & Seat Tube Bags. Restrap Seat Bag, Revelate Feed Bags and Aeroe Dry Bag Under Deda Aerobars. Kathmandu XT Down Jacket, Bivvy & Sleeping Bag, Nemo Tensor Alpine Mattress. Kathmandu Axion 12L Backpack for HAB. Geminin Duo Lighting, Nitecore NB20K PowerBank, Garmin eTrex + Phone Backup for Navigation. Northwave Spider +3 Shoes, Ground Effect Limousines Shorts.

Mark Wallace

Name: Mark Wallace

Age: 50

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Bike: Giant Anthem with SRAM NX 1x12, Brooks B17 saddle, Mezcals on Stan's tubeless rims.

Key items of kit: Mostly Revelate bags including Terrapin, sweet roll, gas tank, and 2 feed bags. Carrying an assortment of lights, OR Bivy tent, Etrex 22x and three drink bottles. A few straps thrown in for (hopefully) an adequate HAB setup.

Rufus Wenlock

Name: Rufus Wenlock

Age: 36

Location: Otautahi (Christchurch), NZ

Bike: SÜFUR Prototype: 29" wheels, Vittoria Mezcal Tyres, 120mm SID fork, Sram AXS 10-50t cassette with 34t oval chainring and 170mm cranks, Shimano XT brakes 160/180mm, Redshift ShockStop Pro seatpost, Salsa Bend 17° handles bars/ESI X-Chunky grips plus Profile Design Neosonic aerobars and Fabric Scoop Flat saddle.

Key items of kit: Klite light/charging system hooked up to a Son28 dyno hub. Huuuuuge frame bag plus massive Tailfin top tube bag. Apidura hydration pack with 2ltr bladder. Homemade harness for the hiking sections.

Peter Marriott

Name: Peter Marriott

Age: 29

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Bike: Surly Karate Monkey, 32x17 single speed, 2.25" Mezcals, Fox 34 120 mm fork, Spank wheels, Shimano brakes, Brooks C17 carved saddle, QR seat clamp. Prime Noosa mini-aerobars, Cane Creek bars ends, Spirgrips, and Ergon fat grips to keep the hands happy.

Key items of kit: My custom Stealth frame bag will hold food and items I need on the go. My Revelate saddle bag will hold my Salewa bivvy bag, Macpac Firefly sleeping bag, pillow (luxury!), layers, repair kit and first aid kit. I also have two Revelate stem bags attached in front of the handlebar (to avoid my knees when out of the saddle) containing water and food. I'll have a Nitecore headlamp on my helmet. No backpack or separate bike carry system. Highlights are my Senchi Designs alpha pullover and lack of derailleur

Georgie Rutherford

Name: Georgie Rutherford

Bike: Scott Spark Tuned 2017. The drivetrain is all SRAM Eagle: 32t oval/ 10-50t. Rolling on Mezcal 29x2.35.

Key items of kit: Bags on the bike are a mix of homemade Dyneema and a top tube bag, stem bag and race saddle harness all by Restrap. I'll be using a Garmin Edge 530 for nav, Gemini Duo lights and a 20,000mAh powerbank. Two bumbags and a bladerless Camelback for tools, snacks, electronics etc and for back padding on the hike a bike. I've also got a reasonably lightweight cam strap for the hike a bike.

Chris Byrch

Name: Chris Byrch

Location: Queenstown, New Zealand

Bike: GT Zaskar carbon 29 inch hardtail with Fox 34 front fork with 100ml travel. Two by ten (24/38, 11-42). Ardent race tires - 2.2 and 2.35.

Key items of kit: Various bags from Alpkit, RoboKiwi, Aliexpress. Bivi, sleeping bag, and Thermarest mat. Fenix BC26R light.

Mike Martin

Name: Mike Martin

Age: 39

Location: Queenstown, NZ

Bike: Titanium Hardtail running Shimano XT 1x11 drive train and brakes

Key items of kit: Paper roads custom framebag. Ground Effect bibs and wet weather gear. 15L Camelbak. Makita toolbelt harness for hike-a-bike! Inflatable pillow. All the other normal stuff...

Sam Snowden

Name: Sam Snowden

Age: 32

Location: Wellington

Bike: Bombtrack Cale

Key items of kit: OR Bivy

Doug Hilson

Name: Doug Hilson

Age: 30

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Bike: Heavily modified Norco Revolver HT 3 2019 (only the frame is original!). Fox Peformance Elite 130mm, DTSwiss 1900 Series wheels with the favorite, Mezcal 2.25s front and rear. Homemade frame and feeder bags, Wayward Riders rear harness for food and waterproof front roll/dry bag strapped onto the Ritchey aerobars. Carbon handlebars, Ergon bar ends and a dropper post. Running the half n half pedals for flat and SPD options, and 2.5L of water available through a running vest bladder and bottle on the frame as shown.

Key items of kit: Sleep system is the REI lightweight sleeping bag, OR Helium Bivvy and a Exped mat, along with a Patagonia micropuff. Garmin 1030 for Nav, 20k powerbank and wall charger, very average front light and a Fenix 65R torch on the helmet. Rear lights are helmet mounted. Ground effect around the seating area, Biomaxa on the chain and moving elements, Mons Royale to keep me warm and POC glasses and helmet to keep me safe. No cooker, just hopeful for some warm meals at various intervals on the way :)