The BC Epic 1000 is one of those long distance unofficial organised events in the tradition of the Tour Divide or Highland Trail 550. With this year’s Tour Divide disrupted by border closures between the USA and Canada we thought the dot watchers out there might be feeling a bit bereft. The BC Epic 1000 might just give you that long distance voyeurism fix, head here to dot watch from June 26th.
The BC Epic is a 1000km (1066 to be exact), 11,600m elevation traverse across South Central BC starting in Merritt and ending in Fernie (or vice versa if you choose) mostly along the Trans Canada Trail. The route is about 80% off road on mostly old decommissioned railgrades (Kettle Valley Railroad from Brookmere to Midway, Columbia Western from Midway to Castlegar and Great Northern from Salmo to Nelson), with a few sections of challenging singletrack and the rest mostly rough gravel forest service road and about 100km paved. It is spectacular ride crossing through a great diversity of terrian and ecosystems with remarkable scenery, trestles hundereds of feet high and multiple tunnels (longest almost a kilometre!) along the bed of some of the most expensive railway ever laid through the mountains.
Lennard Pretorious, BC Epic 1000
We’ve asked the riders on the start list to share their set ups and have had lots of responses. Here we’ve brought together all the Salsa submissions we’ve received. A brand synonymous with long distance adventures, it’s perhaps not surprising to see so many riders choosing a Salsa – but there’s a fair selection of frames and set ups here.
Matt Livingston
- Salsa Fargo
- @mclovinmylife
Why this set up?
Originally built for Tour Divide in 2019 and now trying to pretend it’s a Cutthroat for racing.
- Frame: Salsa Fargo
- Fork: Salsa Firestarter
- Shock: Shocks are for Jocks
- Wheels: White Industries Rear Hub, SP Dynamo Front, both laced to KORE rims
- Tyres (and inserts?): Maxxis Ikon 2.6″
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX 2×10
- Brakes: BB7 Road
- Cockpit: Salsa drops, clip on aero bars and lots of space for snacks with HMPL candy bags.
- Saddle: Selle Anatomica
- Bags: Mix of Porcelain Rocket, HMPL and Revelate
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Sinewave Beacon for light and power, tons of space for Pizza, Donuts and Snickers bars. Always have my trusty Fresh Pack Outdoor FP-1. Sleep?
What’s your preparation been for this event?
Mountain biking and ski touring
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
Give it a solid attempt and see where I finish.
Jeff Hehn
- 2019 Salsa Cuthroat Rival
Why this set up?
Versatile do anything bike from gravel to singletrack to bikepack
- Frame: 58cm Carbon
- Fork: Carbon
- Wheels: DT Swiss stock wheelser
- Tyres (and inserts?): Tubeless Schwalbe Thunderburt – 2.35 front / 2.25 rear
- Drivetrain: 1×11
- Cockpit: Garmin edge 530 + inReach Explorer
- Saddle: WTB Volt
- Bags: Revelate – Dyneema framebag and prongorn dyneema front roll. Salsa anything cage + revelate polecat and joey bags
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Thermarest Uberlight pad / Tiaga Quilt / Tarptent Double Rainbow twnr
- Key clothing items: Mostly 7mesh kit
What’s your preparation been for this event?
Virtual BCepic last year – winter fatbiking – local bikepacking weekends and adventures.
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
Finish feeling I did something Epical.
Ross Mailloux
- Salsa Fargo 2020
- rosspaulmailloux
Why this set up?
The Fargo has always been a dream bike for me, it’s a pickup truck but can be slimmed down for races and big day rides. More importantly, It is just a really fun bike to ride. Every time I see it, I smile. This bike and more specifically the build have been built around comfort and fun for long distances.
- Frame: Sz L 2020 Fargo
- Fork: Salsa Firestarter Carbon
- Shock: My body (ouch)
- Wheels: WTB KOM Lite
- Tyres (and inserts?): Vittoria Mezcal 2.1 = ‘LOVE’
- Drivetrain: 11 speed SRAM Rival and Apex blend with a 10/42 cassette and a 30t front ring
- Brakes: BB7
- Cockpit: Salsa Carbon Woodchipper
- Saddle: Selle Italia Gel Flow Pro
- Bags: A real mixed platter of Revelate fuel tank and feedbags, North Street burrito bag, Apidura half frame bag and OG porcelain rocket seat bag.
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Sleeping kit consists of a Patagonia ultralight sleeping bag (that is the actual name), SOL Escape Bivi and a NEMO Tensor half pad. For light I am running a Fenix BT10 on the bars as well as a Petzl Actik Core for the helmet. Food will be grabbed along the route but sugary snacks (wine gums, fuzzy peaches!) as well as bars are my favourite for riding as they are quick and fun to eat. I will also snag real meals along the way from various fast food chains. For power I will be running with 2 batteries equaling 36,500 mah – the goal is to not have to stop at places to charge the Garmin or phone.
- Key clothing items: I love the 7MESH chamois and I will bringing a pair of them along as well as a very lightweight capilene T-shirt for riding, a Patagonia micro puff will come along as well as a Patagonia storm 10 jacket and some custom rain shorts. I’ll bring an extra lightweight chamois and t-shirt as it’s real peace of mind for me if I need to ride through a rainy day – knowing I have have a dry kit is a real mental boost.
What’s your preparation been for this event?
Having participated in the 2019 epic, I know what to expect from the route and tailored my prep to that experience. It included 1-2 longer rides (100+km) per week as well as a few loaded overnighters from my house, mainly just lots of saddle time. With Squamish being my home town, there is no shortage of training loops and hills to crush me. I am not fast so my strategy involves riding for as long as I can per day.
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
I would like to glimpse the pain cave but maybe not go all the way inside, right to the back, you know what I mean? Seriously though, I would be very stoked to simply roll down the streets of Fernie and cross the finish line. My family will be waiting for me and that will be a huge boost!
Meaghan Hackinen
- Salsa Cutthroat Force 1
- meaghanhackinen
Why this set up?
I wanted a bike that could get me off the pavement. The Cutthroat has a stellar reputation, and looked like the perfect rig to explore the vast network of backcountry forest service roads here in the Okanagan. When a used 2018 model came up for sale this spring, I scooped it up quick. Everything but the aerobars and front chain ring are stock; the two Salsa bags came with the bike, and I added the Apidura bags from my randonneuring kit. This is my first experience with tubeless tires and I’m equal parts excited/anxious.
- Frame: Cutthroat Carbon
- Fork: Cutthroat Carbon
- Wheels: DT Swiss CR 1600
- Tyres (and inserts?): Maxxis Ikon 29 x 2.2″
- Drivetrain: I’m running a 32t Camo front chainring with a SRAM XG 1150 10-42t cassette
- Brakes: Sram Force Hydraulic Disc
- Cockpit: Salsa Cowchipper handlebars with Supacaz Super Sticky Kush Handlebar Tape in TDF Yellow + Bontrager aerobars
- Saddle: WTB Volt Race
- Bags: Salsa triangle frame bag (with hydration bladder), Salsa top tube bag, Apidura seat post bag and handlebar bag
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: For sleep, I’ll pair an emergency Sol Bivy with a Patagonia puffy and all my layers. I have a couple of power banks to charge up my lights and cellphone. I’m using a tried and tested Garmin eTrex 20x with AA batteries for navigation with RidewithGPS on my cell phone as backup.
- Key clothing items: Merino wool arm warmers and socks, mismatched leg warmers, a Gore-Tex Shakedry jacket, and a pair of hideous goose-crap green waterproof pants.
What’s your preparation been for this event?
I live in Kelowna, so I planned to pre-ride chunks of the route… instead, I just climbed into the hills, waded through a bunch of streams, and got lost a whole lot. But I did a ton of high intensity interval training on the indoor trainer this winter/spring, so I guess I’m ready?!
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
To have fun and enjoy the grind!
Rob Klemmensen
- 2020 Salsa Fargo
Why this set up?
Super versatile and capable frame, proven long distance platform, easy convert to Rohloff and lots of options for bags. Main consideration is solid, trouble free operation.
- Frame: 2020 Salsa Fargo large frame
- Fork: Salsa Fire Starter
- Shock: Nope. May wish I had some suspension.
- Wheels: 29″ DT Swiss hybrid rims, Son 28 front hub, Rohloff rear, both 36 spoke
- Tyres (and inserts?): 29 X 2.4 Teravail Honchos, tubless
- Drivetrain: Rohloff Speed hub
- Brakes: TRP Spyre cable disks
- Cockpit: Wood chipper bar, just my phone for navigation
- Saddle: Brooks C17 Cambium
- Bags: Rogue Panda frame bag, Surly Moloko handlebar bag, Salsa Anything Cradle and handle bar roll bag, Salsa anything cages, Revelate gas tank, Revelate bags on forks. Rear Alternator rack with Arkel panniers (probably empty for this ride). All borrowed from my TimberJack for the Epic.
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Busch and Mueller head and tail lights with integrated charger, powered by Son front hub, OR helium bivy, thermarest neoair pad, western mountaineering summer weight down bag. Food is a large stash of Lara bars and mixed nuts. Planning a lot of grocery store deli stops along the way. My kitchen is a spork.
- Key clothing items: Rain gear is my old bulky camping rain coat and rain pants, as well as rain gloves and shoe covers (on order; hope they get here on time!)
What’s your preparation been for this event?
Long gravel rides at least once a week, working up to riding 8-10 hours of pedalling on the steep gravel roads near my home to try to build endurance. Some mountain biking during the week to try to build some strength. Now starting to do two long days back to back. Maybe I’m ready. Maybe not!
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
Finishing! I think I can do it in 10 days, would be very happy to do it in 7 days, ecstatic if anything faster. But trying to remember to not ride with my ego.
Greg Johnson
- Salsa Fargo Ti
Why this set up?
I like drop bars for bikepacking – more hand positions which equals less hand numbness than a flat bar. The Fargo is very versatile can handle singletrack, two-track gravel and even paved roads…
- Frame: Salsa Fargo Ti (2013)
- Fork: Niner carbon
- Shock: SHOCKSTOP SUSPENSION STEM – by Redshift
- Wheels: We are one – insider carbon rims laced to DT Swiss 350 hubs
- Tyres (and inserts?): Teravail sparwood 2.2 – no inserts
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 2 x 10 with bar end shifters
- Brakes: TRP Hylex
- Cockpit: Woodchipper carbon bar
- Saddle: Brooks c 17 carved
- Bags: All Revelate
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Z packs sleeping bag, X frame Klymit sleeping pad, Exposure Joystick light x 2, Outdoor Tech power bank
- Key clothing items: cycling shorts, leg and arm warmers, vest, rain jacket and pants, and synthetic jacket.
What’s your preparation been for this event?
LW coaching 3 month 2-5 day Bikepacking Race Mountain Bike Training Plan
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
In order:
- Be safe!
- Finish!
- Have fun!
- Go as fast as I can!
Landon Wiens
- Salsa Journeyman Sora
- landonwiens
Why this set up?:
I origionally bought this bike to ride the 6km commute to work and back, however my girlfriend dragged me out for my first gravel ride a year ago and since then have been collecting kilometers (and gear). My main considerations for this set up was largely dictated by the availability of gear this year, as I was starting from scratch as a new rider. Reading blog posts from past riders of the Epic helped me decide on my packing list and bag arrangement.
- Frame: Journeyman 57cm
- Fork: Fantail Delux
- Shock: ThudBuster LT Seatpost
- Wheels: WTB STP i23 TCS 650b
- Tyres (and inserts?): WTB Nano 27.5 x 2.1
- Drivetrain: Shimano Sora 9 speed 11-34t
- Brakes: Promax DSK-330R flat mount 160mm
- Cockpit: Salsa Cowchipper Dropbar Handlebars
- Saddle: WTB Volt Sport 142
- Bags: Apidura Expidition Handlebar/accessory/half-frame bags, Revelate Designs Terrapin 14L seat bag, Blackburn Outpost Elite Top-tube bag, Topeak Fastfuel Drybag X.
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Sleeping System: Explorer Ultra-light Zip hammock by Hennessy Hammocks. Economy Buorrow Custom sleeping bag by HammockGear, ultra-light sleeping pad by Outdoorsman Lab. NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 Front Light on a helmet mount. Quad lock handlebar phone mount for I-phone X (navigation), TrailShot MicroFilter
- Key clothing items: Gloves: Endura Nemo glove (neoprene/waterproof). Chamois: B3neath Northshore chamois and TLD MTB Pro. Shoes: Shimano XC7. Shades: Bliz Fusion Nano. Windbreaker: Arc’Teryx Tenquille Hoody
What’s your preparation been for this event?
As I’ve only been doing gravel rides for about a year now, I mainly focused on gradually increasing my time in the saddle until I was able to plan for and endure full-day rides. Learning how to eat and hydrate for 200+ km days took some trial and error and one or two calls to friends to rescue me mid-route. Otherwise I’ve been using the excuse of “climb-training” to pedal laps of my favourite downhill trails on the mountain bike to switch things up and keep it fun.
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?
To finish!! I’m hoping to complete the route in under 7 days and walk away having had an amazing experience.
Angela Chang
- Salsa Warbird
- _angela.chang_
Why this set up?
Why this set up? Ride what you have.
Key consideration? Tubeless tires so I can run them at low psi when needed.
- Frame: Warbird Carbon v2
- Fork: Waxwing
- Wheels: WTB Speedterra
- Tyres (and inserts?): Teravail Cannonball 700×42
- Drivetrain: Shimano RX810 and 600
- Brakes: Shimano RX400
- Saddle: Specialized Power Expert 143
- Bags: Mix of Apidura and Blackburn bags
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?:
My goal is to finish this in 7 days. I have never taken on anything of this magnitude before. 7 days will be a hard push but a realistic goal at the same time.
Brad Smiley
- Salsa Cutthroat
- smileybrad1
Why this set up?
It’s lightweight and provides distance comfort.
- Frame: Size CL Cutthroat
- Fork: Rock Shox Reba 110mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss
- Tyres (and inserts?): Teravail Sparwoods. They came stock and roll great.
- Drivetrain: Shimano GRX
- Brakes: Shimano GRX
- Cockpit: Profile Design Aerobars. New to my kit and not sold yet.
- Saddle: Salle Anatomica
- Bags: Rogue Panda and Revelate Design
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Son 28 dynamo hub. Love it.
- Key clothing items: Gloves are waterproof. Leg warmers are my favourite
What’s your preparation been for this event?:
Riding long distance dirt roads instead of single track mountain biking, which is normally what I’d be doing these days.
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?:
Ride safe, have fun, finish the thing.
Chris Christie
- Salsa Cutthroat
- christieimages
Why this set up?
Roady that dislikes traffic and this bike crosses that bridge to get off the grid.
- Frame: Salsa Cutthroat
- Wheels: WeAreOne Composites Revive
- Tyres (and inserts?): Stock Sparwoods
- Drivetrain: GRX 800 2X
- Bags: Apidura
- Key Sleeping/Lights/Food/Power/Accessories: Elephant Trunk Sleeping bag/Synthetic Down Puffy, SOL Bivy, Nemo Pad. Real food. BD Icon 700 Lemons.
Key clothing items: 7Mesh layering!
What’s your preparation been for this event?:
Explore the network of gravel in the Sea To Sky.
What’s your goal for this year’s BC Epic 1000?:
Ambitious but unknown. Ride smarter not harder.
That’s a lot of curly bars, and a lot of cheerful optimism. We’ll be bringing you further set ups before the Grand Depart on 26th June, and you can track riders’ progress and see whether it’s all about the bike, the legs, the preparation, or a lucky combination of all these.
