All Photos: Jennaye Derge
Congratulations to Will Bodewes, the first rider to finish the 2022 Colorado Trail Race! Will rolled in on his Ti Raijin late on the 18th of August just before a big lightning storm, finishing the 530-mile course in under five days.
Will crossed the linein his hometown of Durango, Colorado, just before midnight, finishing the Colorado Trail Race in four days, 18 hours, and 36 minutes (4d:18h:36m). Apparently, he made it to the finish at Junction Creek Trailhead just before a massive lightning storm. Will’s brother was waiting for him with pizza, and a few Durango locals showed up with food and champagne to show their support. Check out the full story over on BikePacking.com
Will’s 2014 Kona Ti Raijin
BIKE: Will rode a 2014 Kona Raijin Titanium Hardtail 29er. This machine is rigged up with a 1×11 drivetrain, PNW Pine Dropper, and a 120mm Fox factory fork. The wheels are e*thirteen TRS Race with a 2.35 Maxxis Ardent Race in the front and 2.35 Ikon in the rear.
BAGS: The main frame bag is a custom Rogue Panda and the top two are cheap ones off Amazon because I ran out of money.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: Will traveled with a REI Ultra Running vest with a 2.5L water bladder and a separate water bottle for mixing up Tailwind drink mix, which is his lifeblood. In other gear, what’s more interesting is what he didn’t take. No sleeping bag, no Bivvy, no sleeping pad. This thing is built for speed and minimal sleep. Don’t worry, he did take rain gear, a down jacket, plastic rain ponchos, and a tarp. Other than that, Ihe used an eTrex 20 for navigation, a Katadyn BeFree water filter, Petzl ACTIK Core Headlamp mounted to the helmet, and a tactical flashlight mounted to the bars.
