#fastest-known-time

#fastest-known-time

Even before I ever came to the U.S., I'd heard the legends of the White Rim Trail. It's not only an iconic mountain bike adventure, but also a route with a deep history of FKT attempts that I've followed throughout my career. It's incredibly special to see my name alongside, and ahead of, some amazing athletes. Next time, though, I'd like to slow things down a bit and take in the views.

Doing hard things is inherent to endurance sports. As we become more capable in our chosen discipline, it feels natural for some of us to do things faster, farther, and more difficult. We climb onto the precipice of our previous capabilities and take a step beyond for the very purpose of not knowing how we will land. Then, rarely, maybe once or twice in a lifetime relationship with sport, we begin something hard, somehow already knowing that we will do it.

White Rim, near Moab, Utah, is a popular route for cyclists pushing the boundaries of long-distance adventure cycling. According to mapping sites such as MTB Project, the 100-mile route is "best done in 3-5 days with vehicle support." They also mention that a 4-wheel drive vehicle is required. What is usually a multiday trip for most cyclists took Hannah Otto just six and a half hours, completely unsupported.

In 2019, Tyler Andrews set his first Fastest Known Time on the Salkantay Inca Trail, beating the previous record by more than two hours.