Jeff Kerkove: Two Decades of Endurance Racing Lessons #58

✨ Support the Podcast ✨In this episode of The Endurance Studio, I sit down with ultra-endurance mountain biker Jeff Kerkove to talk about nearly two decades of bikepacking racing, from the Colorado Trail Race to international events like Silk Road Mountain Race and Atlas Mountain Race. We dive into race strategy, sleep deprivation, resupply tactics, gear choices, pacing mistakes, and the mental side of pushing through massive distances. Jeff also shares stories from races like Stagecoach 400, Doom, Vapor Trail 125, Pinyons and Pines, and more — along with lessons learned from years of DNFs, big wins, and hard-earned experience in the ultra-endurance world.----------------https://www.instagram.com/jeffkerkovehttps://www.instagram.com/ergonbikehttps://www.instagram.com/topeakhttps://www.instagram.com/rideshimanohttps://www.instagram.com/ridefoxbikehttps://www.instagram.com/dtswisshttps://www.instagram.com/maxxisbikehttps://www.instagram.com/guenergylabs----------------(00:00:00) Episode Introduction and Pinyons & Pines Race Context(00:02:02) Race Strategy: Heat, Pacing, Nutrition, and Competition(00:04:16) Breck Epic and the Evolution of Supported Bikepacking(00:11:32) Preparing for Long-Distance Racing and Bike Choice(00:14:52) Sleep Deprivation, Minimal Gear, and Recovery Tactics(00:17:19) Gear Philosophy, Packing Strategy, and Cold Weather Prep(00:26:53) Reflections on the Sour Race and Favorite Route Segments(00:29:31) Early Racing Background and Discovering Ultra Endurance(00:33:48) Colorado Trail Race DNFs and Lessons Learned(00:40:28) The Addictive Nature of Ultra Racing and Competitiveness(00:42:00) Resupply Efficiency, Nutrition, and Time Management(00:45:07) Vapor Trail, Stagecoach, and Other Memorable Races(00:49:05) Bones to Blue and Doom: Extreme Bikepacking Challenges(00:54:35) International Racing: Silk Road, Atlas, and Global Logistics(00:59:54) Sea Otter, Bike Industry Trends, and Gear Innovation(01:06:06) Bikepacking Bags, Rack Systems, and Industry Drama(01:13:31) Ergon Product Development and Triple Crown Reflections(01:16:40) Life Lessons, Longevity, and the Mental Side of Racing(01:27:31) Rapid-Fire Questions: Gear, Components, and Preferences(01:35:52) Advice for New Endurance Athletes and Closing Remarks----------------#endurance #bikepacking