Hunt Journal

FURTHER race 23rd-26th August 2019

Further is a brand new bike packing race based in the Ariege department of France. Despite the growing number of bikepacking and ultra races on the calendar, Further stands out as something a little different.

The brain child of cycling photographer Camille McMillan, Further aims to showcase the Ariege region of France in the form of an autonomous adventure bike race. The event is aimed at more than just racers though, the Further Rally allows supporters and families to gather and enjoy the long weekend while the race is on.

Meeting Camille McMillan

Camille McMillan is a cycling photographer and the brains behind Further, the new long distance cycling event based in the Pyrenees. Camille grew up racing bicycles before picking up his camera and documenting bicycle races.

He has followed the Tour de France and shadowed the Garmin-Sharp Professional Cycling team. He's edited journals and curated exhibitions, but now he turns his focus to creating and new and different bike race. We caught up with Camille to find out a bit more about his history and about Further.

Introducing Rodney Soncco, Peruvian Ultra master

We are pleased to be supporting Rodney Soncco with Hunt wheels . Rodney grew up near Cusco, high up in the Peruvian Andes before moving to Italy.

Rodney has been making waves on the ultra cycling scene over the past few seasons dominating the Bikingman series. In the past 2 years Rodney has won Inca Divide twice, Bikingman Oman twice, Bikingman Corsica, and Bikingman Taiwan.

In the front seat with Emma Whitaker - Part 1

Between living the #vanlife travelling Europe and riding bikes, Emma used her creative skills to document her journey and experiences in a very unique way.

To see the full story, hit the link below. Keep an eye out for more as Emma and partner Carly continue their European adventure.

Finish work at HUNT on Friday. European Masters Champion by Sunday.

On Friday, as is traditional at The Rider Firm, we popped over to The Partridge after work for a beer or two in the sun. Si told us he was heading over to The Netherlands for 'a race' with some teammates from the local South Downs Bikes RT, and promptly pedalled home after his pint. Fast forward to Sunday, and he's the newly minted European Masters Champion. We're over the moon about it here at HUNT HQ, as it truly couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Well deserved, and certainly earned.

Meeting Jenny Tough

If you ever wanted to find Jenny Tough then you'd probably be best to start in the mountains. Jenny spends her time exploring the world via human power. Her ongoing project is to run across a mountain range on every continent, however when she's not running across mountains she can be found on her bike.

Jenny will be lining up in Burgas, Bulgaria for her second attempt at the TransContinental race. Her first attempt ended with illness and a scratch so she back with a point to prove

VIDEO | Jason Black in Laos

Jason Black is relatively new to the long distance cycling game. In fact his first race was Bikingman Oman last year, but he's quickly learning the ropes and fine tuning his engine to excellent at the longer end of the cycling spectrum. Jason raced on the road as a teenager, but he felt out of love with the sport in what was the somewhat tainted era of the early nineties. Since then he has focussed on his businesses and mountaineering.

Reader's Ride | Rudi's Open Up

Check out Rudi's Open Up with both 50CAD and 650B Adventure Sport Disc

On The Drops with Ryan Christensen

"My season hasn't gone too badly all be it a broken leg 6 weeks ago... I secured UCI points early on in January back home in New Zealand, and was just starting to come into form for these upcoming European races on the calendar. A forced break for 2 weeks for my leg to heal enough for myself to start riding on the trainer again, so that I can be back racing as soon as possible.

Morale in the team is definitely high, and that shows out on the road. We all are out for individual success but find success comes from winning races as a team. We all know our time will come when Tim will tap us on the shoulder and say, "we are riding for you today". We all bounce off each other and have a lot of good times on and off the bike which makes riding so much easier."

GBDuro | Riding Lands End to John O Groats off road

The racing collective are a not for profit road and gravel bikepacking club for self supported riders who run an annual programme of self supported rides to test mind and body.

VIDEO | Josh's Mason InSearchOf Tour Divide bike

Hunt Beyond brand manager Josh Ibbett has just returned home after completing the Tour Divide, the iconic 2750mile unsupported off road bike race down the length of the USA.

Check this video to find out exactly what equipment is required to take on such a challenge. Find out what worked, what didn't and what changes he'd make.

Josh rides the Tour Divide

The Tour Divide represents, in my eyes, the pinnacle of unsupported long distance bike racing. It was the event that first introduced me to the world of ultra endurance back in 2008 when I read an article in a magazine about Jenn Hill who rode the Divide on a single speed in one of the first editions of the race. I was intrigued but the event was still a long way out of reach for me. Fast forward a few years and Mike Halls incredible rides down the Divide, breaking the record and setting a new standard for long distance racing and I knew I’d be racing one day.

Journal | Hunt Bike Wheels