Tom Schwemberger

Jacob Ashton

Martin Norment

Joe Bush

Natalie Peet (F)

Justin Edwards

Asheem Linaval

Tyler Higgins

Craig Shucart

Carolyn Mason (F)

Tanner Jackson

Dylan Parrish

Mayella Krause (F)

Robert Shine

Brenden Lingg

Matthew Poynor

Joseph Clark

Ryan Haug

Charlotte Turner (F)

Aaron Rutzick

Jason Thorman

Pat Adrian

Chuck Lindner

Jakub Cychowski

Diego Navarro

Katherine Anderson

Jacob Loos

Travis Jolly

Nate Griffee

Chris Joice

Nick Gilbert

Preston Williams

Johnny Townsend

Dave Easley

Les Acker

Jack Peck

Josh Raleigh

Liz Thompson (F)

Woody Rose

Rasch Hole

Sarah Waterman (F)

Jacob Waterman

Matthew Crouch

George Raines

Katie White (F)

Olivia Esqueda (F)

Collin Maynard

Raymond Brintle

Benjamin Crannell

Nick Davis

Joshua Shouse

Peter Montgomery

Earl Evans

Jeremy Hornberger

Charles Fox

Thomas Sumter

Katrina Hase (F)

William Schaeffer

Preston Smith

Aaron Steege-Jackson

Blake Briscoe

Christopher Throop

Daniel Tucker

Rebecca Dehaan (F)

Eric Hamann

Luke Myers

Samuel Mayberry

Sam Smith

Joshua Kile

Joseph Biard

Annika Bell (F)

Zach Smith

Aaron Steinberg

Shannon Sanders

Kellie Wilson (F)

Kurt Pitts

Samuel Nepomuceno

Jason Smith

Nick McCurry

Jesse Turner

Jonathan Vota

Matt Pike

And we have our 2025 Doom Winners!

__Tom Schwemberger__ took the lead early on and was first to cross the finish line at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch.

It was exciting to watch this rider from Naperville, IL, race once again on US turf after his strong effort at Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan last August. With a finishing time of just 2 days and 44 min, we’re blown away by how quickly Schwemberger sped through the 404 mile course with 40,000 feet of climbing–especially given the conditions. He kept his stop time down, pausing to deal with mechanicals (and snap a few photos with puppies, according to his IG stories). We caught up with Schwemberger after he’d had some rest and time to soak up the finish line vibes at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. Here’s what he had to say:

> “There were a lot of riders I didn’t know and on the first day I wasn’t sure which course they were on, which made gauging pace a little tricky… it was a super fun course. I didn’t do a huge amount of research, though I knew resupply was sparse, so I just carried a lot of food. Obviously conditions were wet and a bit cold, but I have a lot of experience riding in that… I punctured three times in the headwaters. The last one didn’t want to seal, so I kept topping up the pressure every hour for the rest of the day. Eventually it stabilized at around 10psi so I glued the plug. After that it held normal pressure to the finish.
> 
> The bigger issue was my derailleur which drained each of my batteries in 6-7 hours. I brought 4 expecting to use 2, but when my third died 18 hours in I left the 4th in my pocket and only put it in when I needed to shift. Essentially I operated on 2 gears. Get to a climb, put it in one gear, flat roads, use the other.”

Kudos, Tom! You kept us glued to our screens.

__2nd place men’s:__ Jacob Ashton, 52 hours, 53 mins

__3rd place men’s:__ Martin Norment, 59 hours, 35 min

![Schwemberger 2 Kai Caddy](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1ylbbjeVdlS9ipihEFKowe/531fc103f41106d08eec99e4bf06d503/Schwemberger_2_Kai_Caddy.JPG)
*[@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/), photo credit: [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)*

Women's winner __Natalie Peet__ (AKA [The Nat Daddy](https://www.instagram.com/the_nat_daddy/)) brought it home with a time of 63 hours and 8 minutes--a fierce and unrelenting effrot which earned her 5th place overall. Peet also had some words to share with us:

> "The race was excellent--I felt like I was able to settle in to a good pace and slept for an hour three times, once in St Joe at that post office, once at TAT Shack and again at Byrd’s Adventure Center where I got a dope tie dye t-shirt to wear in the heat. Crazily enough I actually somehow knocked myself out on the last section of single track like 800 ft from the finish and walked the rest. Guess I went OTB probably in a little ditch. Had to go to the hospital."

Aside from the little slip up on the homestretch, Peet sounds like she had a great time out there. We hope she's released soon with minimal assessed injuries. 

__2nd place women's:__ Carolyn Manson, 74 hours, 18 min

__3rd place women's:__ Mayella Krause, 77 hours, 46 min

![Nat Peet](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5ipPC08qJmXrCVjbFgV5Ve/3c2d6e120d5e35f67d6a6491f0d162a5/Nat_Peet.JPG)
*[@the_nat_daddy](https://www.instagram.com/the_nat_daddy/) and [@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/)*

Finally, local rider and Doom returner __Jacob Loos__ took the win in the highly competitive and experienced singlespeed division with a time of 57 hours, 29 minutes--fast enough to him a third place overall finish, just behind Jacob Ashton in the geared division. 

This was Loos 4th finish at Doom--meaning he's competed every year. After winning the inaugural singlespeed race in 2022, Loose went on to take the win again in 2023, then placed 5th in 2025--with this year's 3rd place SS finisher, Nate Griffee (another return racer who has impressively competed every year), coming in ahead of him. Perhaps this intense rivalry stoked the fire in Loos--or maybe our dot commentator is projecting her own hyper-competitive outlook on the athlete. Either way, Loos crushed it in some tough conditions, and we're stoked to see him with another successful finish. We asked Loos which edition he liked best, and here's what he had to say: 

> "I have a hard time picking favorites, especially since each year has been so unique. I really loved the race this year. 
> 
> The extra challenge this year came with resupply. It was very slim, and I only really was able to purchase food from two places along the course. Kingston at mile 60 and Deer at mile 370. I started the race with a similar amount of food that I would start the Colorado Trail with and that paid off in the end
> 
> Also it was so cold at night!! That was my first time pushing through two consecutive nights. I took a few extremely short naps on the second night. By the time I got to Deer I was tripping out pretty hard from the lack of sleep."

The big question now is will Loos be back for a 5th lap next year? 

Learn more about Loos first Doom in 2022--which earned him the SS FKT on the [Bikes or Death podcast](https://bikesordeath.com/ep-116-jacob-loos-doom-ss-fkt/).

__2nd place singlespeed:__ Travis Jolly, 60 hours, 51 min (3rd Doom finish)

__3rd place singlespeed:__ Nate Grifee, 62 hours, 35 min (4th Doom finish)

![Jacob Loos](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/WcfMcr9cyXFWPsUvXl4lA/2ae1ec375196b3d98e7bafebd1b09ac2/Jacob_Loos.jpg)
*[@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/) and [@jacobloos_](https://www.instagram.com/jacobloos_/)*

Doom history can be found *[here](https://www.ozarkgravelcyclists.com/doomhistory)*.

Day Two: First Finishers

No doubt, it was a difficult night. The Ozarks' sawtooth profile is unforgiving at best; soul crushing when conditions don't play nice. A glance at the tracker replay shows Doom riders recuperating overnight in Saint Joe and Witt Springs Community Center, and Despair/Dismay riders holing up in neutral aid Stargazer Cabin at Moonhull Mountain. There were scratches, and then there was sunshine. 

Notable DNF's so far include both the 2024 1st and 2nd place finishers, Dexter Kopas and Bryan Dougherty, as well as 2022 winner Zeno Moltini. Frontrunners Nicolas Elliott and Carter Peirson have also pulled out, as well as Jake Kern, Joe Fox, Tanner Frady, Randy Windle, and Nic Morales from the singlespeed division. 

![98325565-90F6-40C5-9641-D1ACF12CC5E9](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7oLmhScn0k5NnOEOf41g26/58bf01c798ff1cd47499bbe07da9cfa1/98325565-90F6-40C5-9641-D1ACF12CC5E9.jpg)

*Updates from Dexter Kopas: [@kopeus](https://www.instagram.com/kopeus/) and Randy Windle: [@whindlecommerandy](https://www.instagram.com/windlecommarandy/)*

On the flip side, the harder it is, the more the community pulls together. In a race like Doom, every single finisher is a winner, every starter a hero, and every ounce of community support–from volunteering to pick up riders in trouble to helping out at the neutral aid or passing a beer to a finisher–gives you a boatload of good karma. Ya’ll can pat yourselves on the back, Doomers. You are good people.

At the pointy end, Tom Schwermberger continues to dance through the climbs, despite punctures and issues with his etap shifters. Our frontrunner didn’t stop long (or at all?) at Witt Springs Community Center, though he did make a slight divert to visit McCormick’s One Stop in Harmony. Around 275 miles in, this is a crucial resupply--the last option before nightfall--with nothing ahead for miles. Behind Schwermberger, we have Jacob Ashton (geared, 2nd place) and Jacob Loos (1st SS, 3rd overall). All seem to be maintaining steady moving averages, with little time off the bike. As of 2:00 am local time on Tuesday, they’re at 351 miles (Schwermberger), 334 miles (Ashton), and 312 (Loos). 

![JPEG image-4079-889D-48-3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1V4IsYvVss1yDhMyrS0VN7/7063dedd47c84bc810fd60ec601b65f4/JPEG_image-4079-889D-48-3.jpeg)

*Tom Schwermberger [@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/) photo credit [@kaicaddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)*

The remaining top 10 includes a mix of singlespeed and geared riders, including Martin Norment, Travis Jolly, Joe Bush, Edward Rogers, and the women’s race leader, Natalie Peet. We’re excited to see how things shape up overnight when the sleep monster comes a-knocking, and the cumulative fatigue of 40+ hours in the saddle sinks in.

Peet is furthering her gap in the women’s race. I dipped into her IG and might have discovered why: with mad bike skills, a passion for the outdoors, and a sense of humour, Peet has what it takes to push the envelope. From her recent stories, she knows how to get gritty. Following behind Peet is Carolyn Mason and Charlotte Backus Turner--both top 20 overall.

![JPEG image-4079-889D-48-2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5PE0bPyRnHUce7pfCdlgc1/555873397bc3291f0c10dc9ce0231965/JPEG_image-4079-889D-48-2.jpeg)

*Natalie Peet [@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/) photo credit [@kaicaddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)*

![0E51D470-2B14-4824-AAC4-2C3623A120E0](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1EbYz6v6E6Ty7AjvMN3hpa/73b5775b5c88c6e06ada8327e50e15ed/0E51D470-2B14-4824-AAC4-2C3623A120E0.jpg)
*Natalie Peet: [@the_nat_dady](https://www.instagram.com/the_nat_daddy/)*

Meanwhile, we’ve seen the finishers for Dread (54 miles), Dismay (114 miles), and the first finisher for Despair (195 miles) roll in. Before we congratulate the winners, I’d first like to give some massive kudos to the race director, Andrew Onermaa, who re-drafted all the courses–-with major shake ups–-mere days before the start to keep riders safe in the shifting extreme weather conditions. Onermaa has been riding the terrain for years, tackling roads in every direction: his vast knowledge of the area has clearly paid off.

Despair: Hats off to Jack Peck, overall winner in a time of 26 hours 13 min. How did he cross the finish line looking so clean?! And ever more noteworthy, it sounds like he finished with a broken chain–-though his gremlin bell was still intact. First woman and 2nd overall is Liz Thompson with a time of 32 hours and 38 min. Very cool to see Thompson score such a high ranking in wildly competitive field–-nicely done! 

![JPEG image-4C12-9260-F4-0](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/UhIIp7ZqBK566NjzVZhHs/68758bf8714eea466f5d6d7b471bcdd7/JPEG_image-4C12-9260-F4-0.jpeg)

![IMG 7A2D94ED7F06-1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3dL8bbQz8TGZewwXK9iPnP/1763c4346476445d32ece5599569533b/IMG_7A2D94ED7F06-1.jpeg)

*Despair winners Liz Thompson and Jack Peck [@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/) photo credits [@kaicaddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)**

Dismay: Congrats to overall winner Will Gavato (9 hours 13 min), and Morgan Chaffin (9 hours 52 min), another 2nd place overall finish and 1st in the women's division!

![IMG 63C269B5B6F7-1](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/JlwJEobmZWvgfFHMEDoLY/624ef4b4cff88d1619e99732846dda27/IMG_63C269B5B6F7-1.jpeg)
*Dismay winners Will Gavato and Morgan Chaffin [@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/)  credit: [@morajez](https://www.instagram.com/morajez/)*

![0E51D470-2B14-4824-AAC4-2C3623A120E0](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/182OUay5aPZye6xx2sUpda/cd75b6b281ea0092b711afb18d96c0c1/E222A822-8CB4-4D7B-AD19-ECD053BABF77.jpg)

*Dismay sign in board [@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/) photo credit [@kaicaddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)*

Dread: Massive kudos to Jason Smith for taking first place in the shortest distance option. It doesn’t look like we had any female finishers in this category, though it does sound like other riders who DNS’d or DNF’d from other categories are treating Dread as a bit of a fun run and going out for a rip or two–-and hey, that’s what this sport is all about, right?

Tune in tomorrow to hear about the first Doom finishers.

Day One: Scratches & Sunshine 

![IMG 8BDB825B6A8D-7](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5NbNWejUWn95mx1roKvy6X/27109f023d57179ede5ef5d0fd89e7fb/IMG_8BDB825B6A8D-7.jpeg)
*[@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/), photo credit: [Aaron Arnzen](https://www.instagram.com/aaronarnzen/)*

Wet weather, cold temperatures, and a rollercoaster of emotions marked day zero of Doom 2025. The neutral aid station at mile 25, supported by volunteers from [Ozark Offroad Cyclists](https://oorc.org), proved to be a big morale booster in the unrelenting weather. From there, riders entered the Buffalo Headwaters Singletrack sector, adjusted to avoid the deepest water crossings—bike choice and handling will make a difference here, but no matter how skilled you are, you probably can't avoid wet feet.

For Doom racers, the next resupply is at Kingston Station, 63 miles in, and after that there’s not a whole lot until they reach the Dollar General at Saint Joe, and Craw Billy’s in Duff (150 and 156 miles, respectively). Most resupply options have limited hours of operation, and riders are encouraged to call ahead to confirm.

![IMG 8BDB825B6A8D-5](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7rxfsFYiStklY9C70hUIrS/7301e683fe42bd20144ca1e55dac6424/IMG_8BDB825B6A8D-5.jpeg)
*[@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/), photo credit: [Aaron Arnzen](https://www.instagram.com/aaronarnzen/)*

At the pointy end, Tom Schwemberger is in the lead at 165 miles at 2:00 am local time. Jacob Ashton is just a few miles behind: both have passed the resupply in Duff, and might be pushing onto Witt Springs Community Center at mile 182 before taking their next break. According to his IG stories, Schwemberger has flatted three times, but his spirits seem upbeat. Riders Matthew Turner and Nicholas Elloitt are chasing, currently 10 miles behind Ashton.

In the women's field, we're excited to see local rider Natalie Peet (Bentonville, AR) laying it down. She's holding onto 10th position overall, and has a 30+ mile gap on Carolyn Mason in second place. Nalalie is competing on her brand new Custom SSS (Slow Southern Steel) Warhorn, made by local Fayetteville frame builder Jesse Turner-designed with speed and steez in mind. Before the race, Natalie told us she's "gonna ride my little heart out," and it looks like she's off to a strong start. Not far behind Carolyn Mason we have Charlotte Backus Turner and Mayella Krause.

![Natalie Peet Bike](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6rp5L9R4CN6IBjMCoebOTa/32c941fd12f404bebc3530898e226a23/Natalie_Peet_Bike.jpg)
*Natalie Peet's SSS Warhorn*

Edward Rogers is leading the singlespeed race. New to the singlespeed though not new to ultra-cycling, Rogers is apparently locked in on improving his performance from last year, while also changing categories from geared to SS. In 2024, Rogers placed 4th overall-finishing a mere 15 minutes behind me, which pushed me to ride faster in the final 20 miles than I did in the previous two days. This year, Rogers has pared down his kit, but has enough food onboard to keep him moving at the front end of the SS race.

As of 2:00 am local time, Rogers appears to be slightly off-route in Saint Joseph, in the same town as geared racer Nicholas Elliott is currently stopped. Not far behind Rogers, Bella Vista local and serial Doomer Jacob Loos is holding tight to second in the singlespeed category, Travis Jolly is in third. 

Checking in on my fellow Canadians (both geared racers) it looks like Moez Bhatti and Tanner Jackson are still on the move. The shortest distance races, Dread and Dismay, already have finishers. Laura Shields, a Despair racer, shares some of her survival tips and bikepacker fuel in her Instagram story.

![DD9591F0-96A2-47F9-8328-FB77A1426337](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4WZP49zg8hUTU8KgsLdGIf/78bfe12b504645273905b15b50245a97/DD9591F0-96A2-47F9-8328-FB77A1426337.jpg)
*Laura Shields: [@laura_shields](https://www.instagram.com/laura_shields/)*

It will be interesting to see where the night takes everyone. With a freeze warning in effect (temperatures forcast below 32 F / 0 C), I believe many riders will opt to push through the night unless they're equipped with a robust sleep setup. A lucky few might find a dry shelter to hunker down for a few hours, but others will wait until the reach the indoor comfort of Witt Springs Community Center (Doom route), or the neutral aid Stargazer Cabin at Moonhull Mountain (Dismay and Despair routes). I hope the sky clears up enough to spot some of those magical fireflies-and if not, at least riders have their gremlin bells for company.

![72CD714E-0F53-479F-9B98-4DC017B840D7](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3nZwN2bLmszh7a6YhnVack/8c0f639c9c379ab3702b3099cd458c56/72CD714E-0F53-479F-9B98-4DC017B840D7.jpg)
*Jonathan Vota: [@votajonathan](https://www.instagram.com/votajonathan/)*


Day Zero: Getting Rowdy in the Ozarks

Doom, Despair, Dismay, and Dread riders rolled out of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch this morning, April 6, at 7:00 am local time.

The official race Instagram posted a few photos of the sendoff: “It’s chilly. It’s gloomy. But we’re DOOMing.” 

![Doom 2025 start](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4geyuCjSVM977RHUhPoNvz/c1201a0292dadde6b262db8b76afd13a/JPEG_image-4095-901B-4D-2.jpeg)

![Doom Start 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1MakOeVCJAhWkZWihEm7fQ/ed23b828272f1e651c55c4cb9f9387ae/JPEG_image-4095-901B-4D-4.jpeg)

*[@ozarkdoom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/), photo credits: [@kaicaddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)* 

Before sendoff, riders are given gremlin bells to attach to their bikes for protection. A tradition from motorcycling, the thimble-sized gremlin bell (also known as a “guardian bell” or “biker bell”) is a good luck charm meant to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. The incessant chiming can either drive a rider out of the skull, or become an assuring source of comfort during the hours of solitude. Whatever your opinion, with frigid temperatures and unexpected conditions brought on by the weather, this year’s contestants are going to need all the luck they can get.

At just a few hours in, it’s difficult to make many predictions, though we have seen some early scratches from riders who weren’t quite prepared to handle the course conditions, or decided the risk outweighed the reward. Racer [Bryan Dougherty](https://www.instagram.com/bryanridesbikes/), back after a 2nd place finish in 2024, returned to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch after just 12.5 miles, stating that some of his critical layers were already soaked through and it was not worth pushing on in temperatures that are only going to get colder: “But for everyone who can get through tonight, the weather is looking great tomorrow,” he said in his story update.

With precipitation and temperatures hovering just above freezing, the risk of hypothermia is real—plus more mechanicals will likely occur as components succumb to the mud.

One notable DNS (Did Not Start) is [Dan Connell](https://www.instagram.com/dirtydanbikes/), a seasoned bikepacker and racer who just finished a Triple Everesting and looked like a strong contender. Unfortunately, some last minute flight changes meant Dan's bike didn’t follow him to Bentonville. 

After four hours of racing, it looks like Tom Schwemberger, Matthew Turner, and Justin Edwards are at the front of the field; Natalie Peet, Carolyn Mason, and Charlottle Backus Turner are leading the women; our top three singlespeed riders are Travis Jolly, Edward Rogers, and Chris Joice. Jesse Smith is leading Despair.

We’ll be back after a full day of racing to see how things shake out!

![Edward Rogers Day 0 Stories](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6fcGxKoHFnvol7Ru7hBPmW/5bdd0b507037f0e3c59b28cac23ce0a6/C4B60B7E-40C1-4504-8321-8DDA384A70FC.jpg)

*Edward Rogers: [@jortswho](https://www.instagram.com/jortswho/)*


Gremlin Bells & Gloom

Fast-becoming one of the most popular events in the Southern United States, there’s no shortage of talent on this year's Ozark Gravel Doom start line. We’re going to highlight a few dots to watch in the women’s, men's, and singlespeed races—but with so many fierce contenders, there are sure to be some surprises (or simply dots our busy commentator didn’t discover in her pre-race research). Also: do yourself a favour and scroll through the profile pics on the Follow My Challenge tracker—there are some selfie gems in there.

__Doom Women’s Division:__

[Charlotte Backus Turner](https://www.instagram.com/charlottebackus/): an internationally competitive racer and coach, Backus Turner is no stranger to long days in the saddle and inclement weather. A force to be reckoned with at this year’s Doom. 

[Mayella Krause](https://www.instagram.com/mondociberdelia/): hot off the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350, Krause (from Brazil) has proven she has the grit-factor to tackle this year’s extreme weather. She’s clearly able to tough it out, so we're excited to see what Krause brings to the dynamic women’s field.

[Natalie Peet](https://www.instagram.com/the_nat_daddy/): she crushed it in 2024, winning the women’s division of the shorter Despair, the Central Loop in Arkansas High Country, and North South Colorado. Peet is a fierce and unrelenting athlete with a contagiously upbeat attitude—we can’t wait to follow her dot on the longer Doom course this year. 
![Natalie Peet](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/52TFtJH9WsdFQGLjS0Uzm2/a6b5ae324f14691c2bb0f837b3ca1f75/Screen_Shot_2025-04-05_at_10.25.16_PM.png)
*Natalie Peet 2024 Despair, Photo credit: [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)*

__Doom Men’s Division:__

[Tom Schwermberger](https://www.instagram.com/tschwemberger/): I met Schwermberger at the finish line of the 2022 Big Lonely in Bend, Oregaon, after he smashed the course record. He struck me as an energetic, level-headed person—and he’s since gone on to break the course record in Cross Washington (2023), and take 1st in Stagecoach 400 (2024) and 2nd place in the Silk Road Mountain Race (2024).

[Dexter Kopas](https://www.instagram.com/kopeus/): the 2024 winner is back and ready for action, and chock full of gratitude. We caught up with Kopas for some pre-race insight: “I’m really excited to be back with the Doom community, but with maybe even a stronger start list this time. It’s obvious Andrew et al. have put a ton of work into making the event even better. Feeling lucky that I get to have a wet/cold experience after having a dry/hot experience last year. Should make it a whole new ballgame.” 

[Bryan Dougherty](https://www.instagram.com/bryanridesbikes/): 2nd place in 2024, Dougherty back for his third Doom experience. He says: “I’m definitely a little bit nervous about the weather… the last minute reroute is throwing my original game off, but I just have to roll with it and make sure I have enough food no matter what.” Dougherty is riding a new Trek Supercaliber this year—it will be exciting to see how his new rig shakes out. 

Also keep an eye on up-and-comer [Carter Persyn](https://www.instagram.com/curtdur/), and 2023 winner [Zeno Molteni](https://www.instagram.com/ti473/). 
![Bryan Dougherty](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1iiF7X8REjUmLX3vr2UvDm/5ccb2c93b239056cbf558fae2f45a324/Screen_Shot_2025-04-06_at_12.08.23_AM.png)
*Bryan Dougherty 2024 Doom, Photo credit: [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)*

__Doom Singlespeed Division:__

This year’s singlespeed (SS) category is reeling in a huge 20+ field, including some of the fastest gearless athletes in bikepacking. It doesn’t look like there are any women’s contenders, so we’ll highlight a few of the men:

[Chris Joice](https://www.instagram.com/tnjed76/): Joice puts down insane mileage, and his bikepacking and ultra-cycling resume is too long to account for here. With over 12 years of SS endurance racing in events like Unbound XL, Trans Virginia, Trans North Georgia Adventures, Huracan 300, and Arkansas High Country, Joice brings a wealth of experience.

[Tanner Frady](https://www.instagram.com/roadsandwich/): 2024 Arkansas High Country winner and SS FKT. 

[Travis Jolly](https://www.instagram.com/jolliboi/): 2024 Trans North Georgia Adventure winner on a full suspension single speed.

[Edward Rogers](https://www.instagram.com/edward.l.rogers/): another returner, finished 2nd place in 2023.

Rumour has it that [Nate Griffee](https://www.instagram.com/natronbom/) from nearby Fayetteville is “willing to get wild” and [Nic Morales](https://www.instagram.com/morajez/) might shake things up. 
![Chris Joice](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/35xZP3rRCnqBNj3nRT2Iko/e0f85b346bb611af6edd2d2916f5eb00/Screen_Shot_2025-04-06_at_12.12.24_AM.png)
*Chris Joice at the Snake Creek Gap Time Trial, Photo Credit [Icon Media Acheville](https://www.instagram.com/iconmediaasheville/)*

__Other notable mentions:__

According to race director Andrew Onermaa, there are around 50 returners this year: riders coming back to race one of the three (this year, four) courses. Amongst all these rad athletes, one standout is [Jacob Loos](https://www.instagram.com/jacobloos_/). Loos set the singlespeed record in 2022, bested his own record in 2023, laid down a fast finishing time in 2024, and is back on the startline this year. A Bella Vista local, Loos could potentally fare better than others in the tough conditions and re-routes. 

Because I surfed his couch (actually, guest room) last October, I’m going to mention Chuck Campbell from nearby Russellville, Arkansas. Campbell is the race director of [Arkansas High Country](https://www.instagram.com/arhighcountryrace/), and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He’s signed up for the shortest distance, Dismay. Go, Chuck! 

[Jesse Smith](https://www.instagram.com/jesse_bicyclestation/) won last year’s Despair and is back on the start line for the half-distance race this year. Smith was also the first finisher in the men’s division of last year’s Arkansas High Country—so he knows the area, and clearly enjoys the rough and tumble Ozark backcountry. 

Finally, since I’m from Canada, I’d be amiss if I didn't highlight my fellow Canucks on the roster: [Moez Bhatti](https://www.instagram.com/moezb/) and Tanner Jackson, both from Toronto, Ontario. Arkansas is a bit of a trek from the 49th parallel, but I’m proud to say that every year an athlete from Great White North has crossed the finish line: our trailblazer was [Taryn Davis](https://www.instagram.com/tleigh.d/) in 2022 (who DNF’s but returned for a successful finish as an ITT in the fall—legend!). Davis’s finish was followed by Kelowna rider Jocelyn De La Rosa, who scored 3rd place in 2023 (and is currently chasing 2nd place in this year’s Stagecoach 400), followed by myself—also from Kelowna—who also placed 3rd overall (1st female) in 2024. I’m stoked to see Bahtti and Jackson keep the maple leaf legacy alive in 2025. 
![Moez Bhatti](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1TTvKxwzppJr8HJApRRCRd/7f49d17e5c031ae2a9a48c858c830bcd/Moez.png)
*Moez Bhatti at the 2024 BT700, photo credit [Ethan Mitchell](https://www.instagram.com/ethanthehawk/)*


Dots to Watch


[Ozark Gravel Doom](https://www.ozarkgravelcyclists.com/doom) is Arkansas’s premier backcountry bikepacking race. Now in its fourth year, it's fast become one of the North America's races to watch in the ultra-cycling scene. Described as “a beautifully evil bikepacking event in the south,” Doom ain’t for the faint of heart.

> This is where you find the biggest and baddest of everything when it comes to riding a bike in the state. Away from all the cities and busy highways, this is a journey meant for the purist. Limited cell service, limited resupplies, and limited pavement. Surface types range from hardpack gravel and abandoned Jeep/ATV roads to remote singletrack. All heavy metal, no fluff. - Race Director, Andrew Onermaa.

A hardtail mountain bike with 2.2" tires or bigger is the general recommendation. If you only have a gravel rig or are a fan of underbiking, you won't be stopped but you've been warned. To accommodate a larger participation field, the start/end has shifted to a larger venue at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch from the original town Oark. The event now offers three route options: Doom (404 miles), Despair (195 miles), Dismay (114 miles—plus the edition of Dread (54 miles) for this year’s extra special extreme weather edition. Starting with careful route planning and ending with stellar finish line vibes, Onermaa and the crew at Ozark Gravel Cyclists pull off an exceptional event—it’s no surprise the field continues to grow, and riders return year after year for around round of punishment (or should we say fun-ishment?) at Doom.

Follow [Ozark Doom](https://www.instagram.com/ozarkdoom/) on Instagram

![Hackinen Doom 17](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/je2M42V8WdAW3qKybsTAH/1ece2eea2559e374486705e0f26d3ddc/Hackinen_Doom_17.JPG)

## Extreme Weather is No Joke

As riders make their way to Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, the weather is all anyone is talking about right now. And for good reason: this year’s extreme rainfall and severe thunderstorms are wreaking havoc before the race has even begun. With heavy precipitation, frigid temperatures, dangerously high rivers, and even tornadoes in the days leading into the event, the organizational team made the decision to not only delay the start time 24 hours to avoid some of the worst conditions, but also *reroute all of the courses* to avoid the deepest water crossings. A new 54-mile route called Dread has also been introduced to help accommodate those with schedule conflicts due to the delayed start. The race will officially kick off at 7:00 am local time on Sunday, April 6th.

While it’s yet to be determined exactly how many DNS’s (Did Not Starts) will result from those who decide they’d rather not face off against an already challenging course in testing conditions—one thing is for sure: anyone who lines up on the start of at this year’s Doom is already a champ in my books. 

It’s no secret that proper preparation and planning are necessities in self-supported bikepack racing—so it will be interesting to see how the field adapts to the new routes on the fly. 

“It makes things difficult because the previous planning is now irrelevant,” full-distance Doom racer Jack Davidson told me, en route from Chicago. 

Locals, return competitors, and those with prior experience in the area might have an advantage over out-of-state riders who are less familiar with the surrounding roads and newly included POI’s. 

“Don’t overlook the fact it’s going to get cold,” Onermaa reminds racers. “Bring proper layers and sleep kit! Stay within your limits.”

Sound advice for any backcountry adventure, but even more important this year.

Check out the weather for Jasper [here](https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/jasper/72641/weather-forecast/331909)

![Hackinen Doom 15](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5vPWM1JuwYaxVp8M2fO0Cp/a505dde4a727c76dfa4c044240ff5ec2/Hackinen_Doom_15.JPG)

## Route Preview

[Doom Ride with GPS Route](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50193225) 

Springtime in the Ozarks usually means flowering dogwoods, comfortable daytime temperatures but chilly nights (especially down in the hollows), and higher water levels. This year, racers can also expect down trees, new drainage ruts, and plenty of other surprises in the mix. While the larger creek crossings were removed, some of the smaller creeks will undoubtedly be bigger. All routes start and finish at the scenic [Horseshoe Canyon Ranch](https://www.horseshoecanyon.com) (camping, cabins, showers, and steady finish line hangs until the last dot crosses the line) in Jasper, and the new routing means they follow the same trajectory until Buffalo Headwaters Singletrack sector. From there, the routes take their own trajectories, traversing challenging climbs, rowdy descents, and passing through small centers with limited resupply. Dismay and Despair pass a neutral aid cabin; Doom racers route by Witt Springs Community Center, open 24/7.

Race Director Andrew Onermaa provided a thorough walk through of the original routes in a series of YouTube Videos: [Doom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag5upq7w8sQ), [Despair](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OCdPyOpQ8c) [Dismay](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6qrMiYUSbM)
Unfortunately, due to the last minute high water conditions, the videos are no longer accurate—maybe he’ll save them for 2026? Below are links to both the old and new routes on Ride with GPS if you’d like to dig in:
[Original Doom](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45392659) (677 km) / [High water alternate](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50193225) (650 km)
[Original Despair](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45393331) (317 km) / [High water alternate](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50178310) (313 km)
[Original Dismay](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48643965) (176 km) / [High water alternate](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50179366) (183 km)
New one-day route option: [Dread](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50191512) (87 km)

## A Short History of Doom

Brent Stepenik was first to finish the newly-established “beautifully evil bikepacking route in the south” route in January 2022 with a hard-fought time of 3 days, 12 hours, 19 minutes in freezing temperatures and tough winter riding conditions. Shortly after, Hailey Moore bested Stepenik’s time—read Moore’s insightful personal reflection of her speedy ITT [here](https://theradavist.com/hailey-moore-ozark-gravel-doom-route-itt/). At the first annual grand depart in May 2022, Zeno Moltini cracked the 48 hour mark on the course record (there were no female finishers, though Taryn Davis from Canada later returned to ITT the course in the fall in a successful run). Jeff Kerlove set another FKT on the 2023 edition with a blistering time of 42 and 23 minutes and Maggie Livelsberger won the women’s race on a singlespeed (NBD, right?).

Now that I’ve built up the race record history, I’m going to reverse course by telling you that none of those records matter. Because the course changes from year to year, true FKT don’t really exist—yes, times have gotten faster, but it’s still an it’s an apples to pears scenario. 2024 saw the biggest switch up to date with the inclusion of the Buffalo Headwaters singletrack section, plus additional distance and elevation. In favourable conditions (and not a wink of sleep) Dexter Kopas crushed the new route in a time of 45 hours and 42 minutes; Bryan Dougherty placed second with 2 days, 3 hours, and 53 minutes, and Canadian ultra-cyclist Meaghan Hackinen (who, me?) took the women’s win and placed third overall in a time of 2 days, 4 hours, and 15 minutes.

2024 also marked the first year of the half-distance course, Despair, which proved so popular, Onermaa added an even shorter distance route to the menu this year. Jesse Smith from Columbus, Indiana, was first across the line in the inaugural Despair race; Natalie Peet from won the women’s race (7th overall and taking on the full-length Doom course this year) and Kyle Gilbert took the singlespeed win.

![Oark General Store](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7qTWZGqYktAnpkEajP0LIN/da64069fb42073e8ffb7351f068fe863/Hackinen_Doom_20.JPG)

## The Start List

Of the approximately 225 registrants in all fields, Onermaa still expects to see over 200 on the startline—a huge turnout, considering the weather. As of Friday evening, there are 71 riders in full-length Doom. With 21 gearless athletes and too many high calibre riders to count, this year’s singlespeed division might be the most competitive in bikepacking history. I’ll breakdown the fields further in tomorrow’s post, but here are a few to watch in Doom 2025:

In the men’s division: Dan Connell (AKA Dirty Dan), Tom Schwemberger, Dexter Kopas, and Bryan Dougherty.

In the women’s division: Natalie Peet and Charlotte Backus Turner

In the singlespeed division: Travis Jolly, Chris Joice, Edward Rogers, Jacob Loos, and Nic Morales

![snapshot of the route](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1Lnm8B1uojETHCJazphC9q/8b8cef95595f7a904fdf51b7fe46ad36/Hackinen_Doom_9_horz.JPG)

## Lessons Learned from 2024

As mentioned, I competed in 2024. The first race of my season, I treated Doom as a test event to prepare for my A-Race, the Tour Divide, and returned to "the natural state" later that fall to race High Country because I fell in love with the magic of Arkansas’s backcountry, incrementally revealed as sleep deprivation, muscular fatigue, and exhaustion set in. I also experienced the warmth of the Arkansas bikepack community, and left with a handful of new friends. 

Doom is not to be taken lightly—I pushed my bike more than I’d like to admit, and the technical singletrack left me crushed—but it’s also a course that gives as much as it takes. While not without an inkling of FOMO, I’m fairly content to watch riders tackles these extreme condition from the comfort of my screen this year, and help bring the dots to life!
![Dot commentator Meaghan Hackinen at the finish line of 2024 Doom](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/TvKl3IiVfmxXexIDhnZBO/2ceddfeaf372e06d8a2e3e57f25f5f82/Hackinen_Doom_3_Credit_Cai_Caddy.jpg)
*Dot commentator Meaghan Hackinen with Andrew Onermaa at the 2024 finish line
Credit: Kai Caddy*

Ozark Gravel Doom Race Preview

Meaghan Hackinen

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