Mark recently completed the longest off pavement bike route in the world - the Great Divide Bike Race over 50 days with his wile Kelly supporting him along the way in the FLATED AirTopper. Here is Marks story of how they spent 50 nights the summer of 2024 on the road with FLATED.

The GDMBR was an outlet for us to fundraise and raise awareness for childhood cancer. We lost our son, Kevin, to Neuroblastoma Cancer at the age of 6 in 2013. He was diagnosed in 2010, just before he turned 3, and fought it for 3.5 years before it became too strong.

This ride had been on my mind for a few years. I rode my bike on Route 66 in 2018 from Chicago to Los Angeles as my first epic fundraising event and enjoyed the experience. That route was 100 percent paved roads, and "easy."

I found this ride along the Continental Divide (officially called the GDMBR), and became intrigued. This ride was over 90 percent unpaved roads, and soooo much harder than I thought it would be! Between weather (heat, rain, mud, lightning, etc) and the brutally tough/rocky roads, as well as the constant climbing/descending on roads with no guardrail to prevent going over a cliff, there were times it was actually quite scary.  

It was an incredible/painful/frustrating/fulfilling experience, all at the same time! Climbing those back-country Forest Service roads was a challenge. The steepest climb was 17%, according to my GPS, and that meant it was hike-a-bike time. I rode a total of exactly 50 days, and my back was screaming for about the last 20 days.  

The best parts of the ride were the scenery, the amazing people we met along the way (fellow riders and people in the restaurants/stores in the towns along the way). It was great to commiserate with the other riders. The vast majority were jealous of our set-up, with the ability to sleep under the FLATED. All of the other riders had a tent or bivy on their bike, along with food, water, clothing, etc.

Our FLATED was absolutely amazing! It kept us dry throughout some downpours, hail, and allowed a nice breeze to pass through on the hottest nights. I think we slept in it on about 46 out of the 50 riding days (we stayed in a couple of hotels, but always said we slept better in the FLATED)! Everywhere we went, people asked "What's that? That looks cool," and we gladly showed it off, and told them all about it. It was an incredible product, and we can't wait to make more adventures in it!”

Mark and Kelly are committed to raising money and awareness for childhood cancer. You can read more about their adventure and donate here www.EpicBikeRide.Org