The Components That Supported My Mountain Race Series Win

The Mountain Race Series—Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan, Atlas in Morocco, and Hellenic in Greece—pushes riders into remote landscapes where equipment matters as much as fitness. Routes range from 900 to 1,950 km and include rugged gravel, ancient trade and shepherd trails, hike-a-bike passes, and weather that swings from scorching heat to freezing rain or snow.

The races are entirely self-supported. Riders must carry gear, manage repairs, and make constant decisions about pacing, navigation, and resupply. Days from the finish and hundreds of kilometers from the nearest bike shop, reliability isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.

Competition has grown dramatically, with strong women’s and men’s fields. From components to line selection, every choice counts. Read on to learn about the components that supported my journey to become the first woman to complete the Mountain Race Series.

From Bikepacking to Time Trialling

How Bikepacking Helped Me Win the World 24 Hour Time Trial Championships (Twice) November 5, 2022: After twelve hours of tunnelling through darkness, dawn’s first pale hues buoyed my spirits. Since the 5:00 pm start whistle, I’d been sucked into a void: just me and my time trial bike on an 18-mile loop in the […]

Backcountry Freedom with My WR35 Falcon Wheels

As a dedicated road cyclist, I stepped outside my comfort zone in 2021 to purchase a used Salsa Cutthroat, an ultra-endurance mixed surface bike inspired by the Tour Divide. I fell for this style of adventure cycling so hard and decided to upgrade my wheelset in 2022 to get even more out of the experience. […]