Stu Taylor
Sonder Rider and Alpkiteer
Stu Taylor
Sonder Rider and Alpkiteer
Stu Taylor a seasoned self-supported endurance rider on the bike packing circuit, having completed most of the epic gruelling events such as the Silk Road and Atlas Mountain races, the Highland Trail, French and Italy Divide to name just a few.
Stu mostly rides his trusty custom Titanium Broken Road which can run up to a 120mm fork and room for 29er+ wheelset. Stu’s preferred and current setup is running a rigid carbon fork, 29er+ and Jones Carbon hoop bar with Hope components.
Stu said, “the bike is a monster truck, capable of riding in both worlds of gravel and mountain bike, perfect for crunching miles in the wilderness”.
Stu has also dipped his toe into the world of ultra-running having successful completed the Lakes Traverse, a section Wainwrights coast to coast route from St Bee’s to Shap 100km and the notoriously tough Fellsman race, a high-level traverse covering over 60 miles on very hard rugged moorland in the Yorkshire Dales.
On the horizon Stu has plenty of adventures ahead continuing tackling the big endurance events in both bike packing and running. On the bike with the first edition Alps Divide a 1000km journey through the French Alps, along with a reccy of a brand-new event. By foot tackling the West Highland Way 100 mile with a sub 24 hour the aim and next year the monstrous Northern Traverse 330km the full coast to coast route.
Locally and socially Stu can be found roaming the local fells for a cheeky night under the stars, hike-a-biking and running in the mountains chasing that amazing sunset.
The Number Crunch:
- Longest ride: French Divide 2170km 35,000m ascent
- Most enjoyable ride: Italy Divide the architecture, culture, scenery and endless supplies of espressos and pizza.
- Highest ride: Silk Road Mountain Race 4070m
- Slowest ride: Atlas Mountain Race suffering with sherma neck issues for 4 days
- Toughest run: The Fellsman 100km
- Shortest bike packing trip: 9km to the top of our local fell to watch the fireworks with Zach and all downhill to school in the morning.
- First bike packing race: Highland Trail 550 4 days 7 hours 7th place
- Biggest ‘bonk’: Relentless 24hr race - solo
- Favourite bivi spot: under the dark skies of a starry night
Stu Taylor On Film
Atlas Mountain Race
Stu gives us an insight into the Atlas Mountain Race. Starting In Marrakesh, the route took riders across the Moroccan Atlas, through the Anti-Atlas and on to Essaouira. 1302 Kilometres of unsupported racing.