This Saturday, February 4th, a group of bikepackers will depart on the Huracan 300 bikepacking race. This 370-mile loop in Central Florida includes 100 miles of singletrack, dirt roads, abandoned paths, and occasional pavement. Racers also have the option to take on the “Lite” version of the route which is 340 miles and avoids singletrack and river crossings. Described on the event website as, “the ultimate off-road endurance experience in the state of Florida,” the participants are certainly in for an adventure! We’re excited to introduce you to some of the folks who signed up for the race. Find out what motivated them to sign up for the Huracan 300, what is on their playlists, whether they’re concerned about alligators, and more!
AJ DeLauder
(they/them)
Bike: Rodeo Labs Trail Donkey 3.1
Sponsors: The Tiny Corner Bike Shop
Home: Aurora, West Virginia
Solo or Team: Solo, but I always meet so many wonderful people.
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
I started riding in 2001, but I didn’t enter my first bikepacking race until 2018 when I signed up for the RockStar 270 in Virginia. That first year of the race was super tough. We got hit by two snowstorms and temps the first night were in the teens. I had no idea what I was doing and spent most of my time being freezing cold, but I loved the adventure of it all. I loved how different it felt from every other type of riding and racing I’d tried. I’ve since done several other routes and races, including finishing the Tour Divide last year and even starting my own local bikepacking race.
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
The sun!! It’s so cold up here in the mountains of West Virginia right now. There’s six inches of snow on the ground as I type this and it’s supposed to rain and snow all week. It’s like Mordor, but colder.
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
Just being grateful for the experience and the opportunity to be out adventuring. My spouse and I have two kids and we both work two jobs, so unstructured free time on my bike is simply heaven.
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
I’ll occasionally listen to bikepacking podcasts like My Back 40, but that’s about it. Music is super important, though. On my playlist right now I have The Cranberries, Brandi Carlisle, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Eat World, Tash Sultana, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Daft Punk, The Oktober People, and some old school musicals, like Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof.
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
By riding the Lite route! In all seriousness, I’m petrified of pitch-black water and have no desire to get chest deep in a Florida stream. Major kudos to those brave souls who can do that.
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
Easily a 10. Living in the mountains of West Virginia, I’m not used to dealing with large reptiles with big pointy teeth. Bears? Sure. Moose? Okay, that’s different. Alligators? Hard pass.
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
I love the people of bikepacking. Bonds develop so quickly and so deeply with others when you’re going through the trials and tribulations and joys of riding a bike for hours at a time. And I never know who I’ll meet or ride with. Then there’s the ethos and inclusivity of bikepacking culture, which as a non-binary rider is so important. I really found my cycling home once I started bikepacking. As far as the race, I’m excited to pedal through an environment that’s completely different from my normal surroundings. I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful new adventure.
Ali Whittier
(she/her)
Bike: Lynskey Pro29er titanium hardtail
Sponsors: Motor Mile Racing, Pactimo, Trek Chattanooga, Stages
Home: Chattanooga, TN
Solo or Team: Will be riding Huracan with my friends Monica and Kim
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
I started out riding road bikes in 2010 when I met my (now) husband. In 2012, we started racing cyclocross and riding backcountry forest service roads on our cyclocross bikes in the off season. That soon led to mountain biking and endurance racing. I did my first 100-miler mountain bike race in 2018 and haven’t looked back since. I’m mainly an ultra-endurance gravel and mountain bike racer but do enjoy mountain bike stage racing, too. My entry to bikepacking was completing the Trans North Georgia (TNGA) Adventure course in 2020, when COVID cancelled all the mass start bike races. My interest in bikepacking has grown because it feels like long a stage race and offers more opportunity to reflect while riding and explore new areas.
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
I’ve been eyeing this event since I finished TNGA so when my friends Kim and Monica said they were planning to go and asked me to join, I couldn’t say no.
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
I get a lot of practice having to solve problems while managing a big workload (and the occasional PR crisis) during my day job. So I suppose I inherited the “keep calm and carry on” mindset from my peers and that translated to the bike as well.
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
Rarely, but sometimes when I’m alone. I haven’t listened to anything during bikepacking adventures yet. But if I did, it would probably be music…anything except country music haha.
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
Hope? 🙂 I’ll have some extra socks but also not above stopping for a minute to let my feet dry. I have decently tough feet from being a dancer all my life and walking outside a lot as a kid, but I don’t mess around when it comes to trench foot.
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
1…I don’t prefer to worry about or fear things I can’t control, but I also don’t plan to intentionally provoke any wildlife while I’m out there. I’m hoping the universe doesn’t provide any opportunities to have to react to any dangerous situations (fingers crossed).
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
I’m fortunate to work for a company that promotes taking time away. My favorite aspect of bikepacking is that it lets me completely disconnect from work and the demands of life. It offers perspective I haven’t found in the many other sports I’ve participated in throughout my life….and that’s that most things in life aren’t worth worrying about. I’m an incredibly anxious person who worries a lot, so bikepacking has helped me learn to relax and try not to let my anxiety take over my life.
Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about racing the Huracan 300?
This will be my first time riding in Florida so might as well go big, right?
Cathy Niebauer
(she/her)
Bike: Surley Ogre
Home: Lutz, Florida
Solo or Team: Team Niebauer with my husband, Zach!
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
I started riding bikes in about 2016. I was not an athletic person at all, but in a desperate bid to get me and my kids out of the house, I would put my then four-and one-year-old in a bike trailer and haul them around the local paved trail. I completed a few sprint triathlons, half marathons and full marathons, but I realized after a few years that I didn’t enjoy the monotony of road riding and running. As my kids outgrew the double BOB stroller and Burley bike trailer, I started dabbling with off road activities like trail ultras and mountain biking. It wasn’t until the summer of 2020, when my husband and I discovered the Ryan Van Duzer bikepacking videos on youtube, that we decided to ditch our road bikes for bikepacking bikes and go on our first adventure! We cut our teeth on The Spanish 520 mile Cross Florida Race in January of 2022, with absolutely no multi day bike packing experience! It was a very shocking crash course on one of the most difficult Florida bikepacking routes, but I made it!
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
It’s the race that everyone talks about! I’ve ridden several trails utilized by the Huracan during other rides, and I wanted to try my hand at the whole loop!
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
I hit rock bottom during the Spanish ride last year, and had daily crying breakdowns behind gas stations and while pushing my bike on deep, sugar sand roads. I learned that if you’re going to cry, you might as well do it while pedaling, because sitting behind a Circle K dumpster and crying only puts you that much more behind your mileage goal for the day! I kept thinking that “the only way out is through”, so just keep moving forward through that mud, sand, or overgrown ghost trail, because whatever’s on the other side surely can’t be as bad!!
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
On my daily solo riding, I listen to a playlist that consists of the entire BTS discography on shuffle (my favorite album is Dark and Wild!) and female artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Rico Nasty, Tinashe, and Lizzo for some girl power motivation. However, during the Huracan I’ll be riding with my husband and our friends Mark and Jodi, so I’ll let the group control the bluetooth speaker!
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
I always bring a pair of lightweight water shoes with me on bikepacking trips, so my plan is to change into them and carry my shoes and socks across. I will also be bringing a second pair of socks just in case! As for keeping my body dry, I am usually soaked through with sweat regardless, so a dip in the river will feel refreshing!
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
As a Floridian, alligators are pretty standard to see on nature trails and preserves. If you don’t bother them, they (hopefully) won’t bother you. Having said that, I have no desire to see an alligator while I wade through a river so I’d say I’m hovering at an 8 or 9 on the concerned scale.
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
I’m a stay-at-home mom, so the past ten years of my life have revolved around my two kids. Bikepacking is a way for me to be truly selfish and focused only on myself and my own survival. Instead of constantly thinking about things that need to be done, my mind clears and all I can focus on is pedaling, eating and sleeping. It’s like meditation! I am looking forward to feeling that again during the Huracan.
Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about racing the Huracan 300?
You don’t need to be super fit, have a super light bike, or be a super fast racer to enjoy bikepacking. You just need to have the determination to keep your body moving even if your mind is ready to give up! Also, a Baja Blast and a Chalupa from Taco Bell can fix almost anything.
Chritine (Tina) Stone
(she/her)
Bike: 2021 Salsa Fargo named Lucy The Dragonslayer
Home: Connecticut
Solo or Team: Solo
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
I have always loved to ride a bike since I was a kid. I kind of got away from riding when school, work, and everyday life got to busy. I found my way back to the bike about fifteen years ago when all the daily stresses added up, my mental health was suffering and I no longer was able to cope with everyday life. The bike quickly became the place where all my worries and stress disappeared. I was hooked and I haven’t looked back since. I got into road and rail trail touring about nine years ago and quickly over five years did a lot of fantastic routes along the East Coast from the Green Mountains of Vermont, to the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains all the way down to Key West. When the pandemic hit three years ago, the bike really took on a whole new meaning. I was out of work, my mom was battling Cancer, recent break up from a ten-year relationship, and everyone was having to isolate that getting out on the bike became such a happy place to get away. I started to explore on my bike and wondering where does that road go and where does that trail go since I had the time to do so. This is when I fell in love with gravel and starting seeking out gravel rides and gravel bike trips. I didn’t really have the correct bike at the time but I didn’t care and made it work. Then in 2021 I purchased the Salsa Fargo as my dream to ride the Great Divide route was going to need a bike to do it. Since then I have gotten into bikepacking and just last year started doing some bikepacking events and races to better prepare myself for some bigger and epic trips.
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
This will be the first of three races/events I will be doing this year and since I was going to be in Florida for the months of January and February this fit in perfect for the first one of the year.
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
I always tell myself that the hard times on the bike come and go and just to push through as it can do a total 360 at any moment. Also, I rather be riding my bike then doing anything else.
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
I definitely listen to music as singing and dancing on the bike can totally lift your mood and make the tough moments so much easier. My music playlist is all over the place I just like a good beat and a song that tells a story.
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
Only real concern for me is feet so I will be bringing other shoes to cross in to keep my cycling shoes dry. I’ll also change into a pair of running shorts to keep my chamois dry.
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
About a 2.
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
Absolutely love being out in nature, the sights, sounds, and smells. Looking forward to meeting other riders and just getting to ride my bike all day.
Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about racing the Huracan 300?
I think I would just like to say to other women to not get stuck in the mundane of everyday life. To go do the things you want to do, to get out and explore, and to push a little past your comfort zone. For those of us over 50 it is never to late to dream big and seek out adventures. My saying is, “Living life one pedal stroke at a time.”
Jodi Fleeman
(she/her)
Bike: Surley Bridge Club
Sponsors: Team Vegan Powered Athlete
Home: Tampa, Florida
Solo or Team: Team (with my husband and friends Cathy and Zach)
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
My biking passion began ten years ago when I took up triathlons and road biking, then I transitioned to mountain biking, and about two years ago I took up bikepacking after watching Ryan Van Duzer’s bikepacking adventures on YouTube. My husband and I started with an overnight trip to test our gear, then we did a two-day trip to the Georgia mountains, and then we did a three-day, 300 mile loop through northwest Arkansas. In January 2022 my husband and I, along with our friends Cathy and Zach, rode the Singletrack Samurai’s off-road 520 mile route across the state of Florida (“the Spanish”). That was the most challenging adventure I have ever undertaken and I made memories that will last a lifetime. Since then we have ridden several more Samurai routes all over Florida including the Everglades where we encountered several gators on the trail. In 2023, I have big bikepacking dreams – we are doing the Huracan in February, another route in Arkansas in June, the Florida Divide in November, and the Cross Florida Individual Time Trial in December as an all-female team with Cathy and myself!
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
My husband and I and our friends Cathy and Zach were hungry for more Florida adventure. We’ve done several of the Samurai’s routes but not the most famous – the Huracan. So we thought, it’s time to do that one!
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
My mantra is: you may see me struggle, but you’ll never see me quit. I liked it so much, I have it tattooed on my shoulder. We as a team have the mindset that we are going to complete our route no matter how tough it gets. Quitting is not an option. We just keep turning our wheels and eventually we will get to the end.
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
I’m a spin and group exercise instructor, so I understand the power of music and the energy it can create. I have a portable waterproof speaker mounted on my handlebars so when our team needs a pick me up, I will blast some high-energy tunes! I’ll use my spin class playlists. As a bonus, we hope the music will keep the bears away, as we will be riding through bear country!
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
We plan to change into our water shoes before the crossings so that our feet and riding shoes will stay dry. We’re not too concerned about the rest. Also, it may rain a couple of the days we are out there so we will be packing our raincoats and hoping for the best. But being wet is part of the Florida bikepacking experience!
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
When I’m on land I would say a 1 or 2. I’ve encountered gators all over Florida so many times that I’m just used to them. For the most part, they are completely unconcerned about us and they just watch us go by. In the Everglades there were some big boys right up on the trail that we had to ride by. They just stood still as we passed them. But if I’m in water, I’m at a 10 on the concern scale. So, I’ll be nervous about gators as I cross the Wekiva River not going to lie.
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
My favorite part about bikepacking is being with my husband and friends in nature and all I have to do – all day – is just ride my bike. You can experience so much on a bike that you would never notice in a car, and you can travel so much further and faster than if you were just hiking on foot. To me it’s the perfect way, and pace, to explore the world.
I’m most looking forward to riding through the Ocala National Forest again but in a different section than the Spanish route. I’m also looking forward to getting some redemption in the Green Swamp this year (our last trip through the Green Swamp did not go well to say the least!). This year we will be better prepared and I’m expecting a smoother, more efficient ride.
Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about racing the Huracan 300?
I wanted to take a moment to thank my sponsor Team Vegan Powered Athlete (VPA). Both my husband and I are representing VPA and are passionate about living a vegan lifestyle. We have been vegan for several years and have had no issues maintaining our vegan diet while bikepacking.
I would also like to add that I am passionate about getting more females into bikepacking. When I go on a group ride, it is generally at least 80% male and while that makes it easy when we have a bathroom break at a convenience store 
, I would love to have more females in the group! Cathy and I hosted a female-only intro to bikepacking retreat. Then we joined the Swamp Sisters, a female mountain biking group and they are interested in organizing a female-only bikepacking trip on a larger scale! It is my hope that females will become a bigger part of bikepacking in the future, and I want to thank Faces Behind the Dots for promoting females in this sport!
Kim Ranallo
(she/her)
Bike: Juliana Wilder
Home: Chattanooga, TN
Solo or Team: Solo with two of my friends and favorite riding partners – Ali and Monica
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
I’m fairly new to the bikepacking scene. I started mountain biking in 2018. Prior to biking I spent most of my time rock climbing. Mountain biking was just a complementary activity to balance out the climbing I was doing. I slowly started falling in love with biking and after a few shoulder injuries and the pandemic later, biking became my main focus. My first mountain bike race was a 6 hour XC race at Blankets Creek. I guess I’ve always drifted towards long days in the saddle. When I got my gravel bike in 2020, that’s when my world really opened up. I absolutely loved the big climbs and the remote feel of the forest service roads in the Cherokee National Forest. I slowly built up my fitness and comfort zone. The solace I find in the mountains during big rides is unlike anything I have experienced. Eventually when your rides get long enough you may as well just strap some bags to your bike and keep going.
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
I was motivated to do Huracan this year as prep for TNGA and a fun winter vacation with two friends.
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
Usually I always have little sayings or mantras on the bike – but they change with every ride. Most of the time on long rides, I try to quiet my mind and use the pedaling as a moving meditation. I find that when I am able to settle my often anxious and busy thoughts, I am able to relax and allow the beauty of the experience amaze and inspire me. If I’m getting in a weird headspace it usually just means I need food, hydration, or a pee break – so if I take care of those usually I stay pretty happy, even on the longest days!
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
I only listen to music/podcasts on the indoor trainer. Usually punk-rock or 90s. When I’m outside I don’t like to be distracted by music – I have enough thoughts in my head to keep me plenty occupied! Plus, I like to be aware of my surroundings.
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
Extra socks and probably just cross in the nude to keep the chamois dry if I’m being honest!
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
I’d say 8/10 – I’m used to bears, snakes, and junkyard dogs…but alligators are a new one for me. I’m a bit afraid of them, but at the same time I also just want to boop one on the nose (which I heard is not recommended).
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
My favorite part about bikepacking is getting to ride my bike all freaking day for multiple days in a row! Bikepacking takes you to some beautiful, often remote places. I’m excited to explore Florida trails and to share the experience with Ali and Monica!
Monica Desjardins
(she/her)
Bike: Litespeed Kitsuma
Home: Chattanooga, TN
Sponsors: Velovixens
Solo or Team: Team, with Ali Whittier and Kim Ranallo
What’s your bikepacking and bike riding background? How did you get into bikepacking?
I raced TNGA during the lockdown, and have done a few other trips for fun. I have been riding for awhile now and like to adventure, it is just a natural progression to add bikepacking to the list. It’s challenging and fun, and a nice way to give my brain a different job to do.
What motivated you to race the Huracan 300 this year?
I shared the idea with Kim after having a few drinks and it just came together that night. Ali was also on board so, I guess you could say my motivation was the excitement of doing this as a team with my friends.
Do you have a mantra or mindset you utilize during hard efforts on the bike? How do you keep your head on straight when the going gets tough?
I like when things get difficult because it gives me some pressure to focus. I have difficulty doing that without pressure, so it’s actually kind of a relief to have a task to complete. When things get really bad, I may take a break. I have had some dark moments. I have had things come up where I had to quit, which I have learned a lot from those situations. So sometimes taking a break is the best thing to do.
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you ride? What’s on your playlist for the Huracan 300?
I don’t typically listen to music while I ride.
What’s your plan for keeping your feet and body dry through river crossings?
I have a lot of experience riding wet, so I know what my body can handle. If it’s warm I’ll just ride wet, and dry later. Wool socks go a long way to keeping your feet warm and blister free. If it is warm enough, I just take my shoes and socks off later and let my feet dry while taking a snack break. If there is no one around, I may strip down, lol. So I guess my answer is I don’t know yet, because I will decide later based on the situation. I have a few strategies I can implement.
On a scale of 1-10 how concerned are you about alligators?
Not much, I am from Louisiana and grew up doing things outdoors. It’s just important to be alert to your environment and give the sketchy things space. People, insects, animals. I don’t like leeches either, lol.
What’s your favorite aspect of bikepacking? What are you most looking forward to during the Huracan 300?
I am most excited about riding this course blind. The unknown is very exciting for me.
Best of luck to all the participants! You can watch their dots on Trackleaders.com.
One response to “Faces Behind the Dots: Huracan 300”
Cathy is the GOAT!