VAPOR TRAIL 125 | ULTRA-ENDURANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE EVENT

Racing 125 miles through the night at high altitude absolutely takes training, but at the end of the day, the key to completing this race is preparation and mindset. A racer needs the ability to keep a strong mindset even when it's dark, cold, and the air is thin. Preparation also plays an enormous part in completing Vapor Trail. A racer must ensure they have everything to make it through the 12-20 hours of riding. That means packing, lights, nutrition, tools, clothing, drop bags, and whatever you might need on one of the longest night rides of your life.

Good Lights are the most crucial tool you can have at Vapor Trail. Most people's night rides are 2-3 hours, but in this race, you are riding 8ish hours through the dark Colorado high country with no lights from houses, streets, or nearby cities. Therefore, having solid and well-working lights is crucial. Luckily, Lezyne helped me pick the best lights for this situation. I went with the Lezyne Mega Drive 2400+ with an Infinite Light Power Pack+ on my bars, the Helmet Lite Drive 1200+ on my helmet, and the Fusion Drive Pro 600+ Front in my pack just in case I needed a backup.

This light setup was PERFECT. I used the bar light through the entire night with plenty of power and used my helmet light sparingly on single track, and both lasted me easily into the morning. Having good lighting during the entire night portion of the race takes a lot of stress away from gear, so I could focus on properly fueling and riding.

Besides lights, multi tools and tire puncture solutions are also very important to have with you. I packed my favorite Super SV stainless bike multi-tool that pretty much comes with me on all my rides, multiple C02 Cartridges, Tubeless Power XL Tire Levers, the Pocket Drive Pro HV Pump, and the Twin Speed Drive C02 dispenser.

These tools are small, light, and easily fit into a small bag on my bike, leaving me plenty of room for extra jackets, gloves, and snacks. For hydration, I was lucky that my bike fits two Lezyne Flow Cages SL, so I didn't have to ride with a ton of water in a backpack, saving me from back fatigue throughout the race. Vapor Trail 125 is marked and flagged well, but I was recommended to bring a GPS, so I brought my handy Lezyne Mega XL GPS just in case I needed extra help with course navigation.

Having all of the tools I needed for flats and mechanicals and seeing through the night made me race the Vapor Trail 125 confidently. I knew that no matter what happened during the 20 hours of riding, I would have what I needed to keep going and cross the finish line. After riding through the night, up steep climbs, and across breathtaking single track, I can confidently say this race is a true test of endurance, preparation, and grit. From the mental challenge of riding in complete darkness to the physical demands of high-altitude pedaling, the Vapor Trail 125 pushes every racer to their limit—and then some. But that's what makes it so special. It's not just a race, it's an adventure, and the reward of finishing is worth every mile. If you're up for the challenge, this race will give you memories that last a lifetime.