Chris Plesko Westminster, CO Age 34 Day Job: Middle School Math and Science Teacher
After working for 5 years as an engineer I went back to graduate school and transitioned into the field of education which I absolutely love. The career change was precipitated by quitting my job ahead of a 2008 failed Divide ITT. I’m also a husband and father of two young boys, JJ (5) and Ben (2). Mountain bikes are my outlet and I’ve enjoyed challenging myself in ultra distance events sporadically since 2007. Fixie Dave Nice got me started bikepacking long ago without proper gear and nothing but overexcitement to keep me warm at night. A cold, rainy, Colorado Trail overnight with no sleeping bag was particularly memorable. This year I decided to return to the Tour Divide after 6 years to attempt to lower my official singlespeed record and fully conform it to modern visitation rules. In my absence, Jefe Branham and Cjell Mone showed just how much faster a singlespeed could go and I knew that I wouldn’t be happy without a sub 16 day time. Guided by LW Coaching, I put in some serious training and my family fully backed my attempt. Luck was mostly on my side out on the trail and I rolled into Antelope Wells with a new record time of 15 days, 8 hours, 1 minute and 2nd place overall to Mike Hall. Bike Build: On One Lurcher with horizontal dropouts, Niner RDO fork Stans Crest Rims, DT Aerolite spokes, brass nipples, SON28 front hub, DT Swiss 240 SS rear hub, hand built by Chris Murry Wheel Works Maxxis Ikon 2.2 tubeless ready and EXO front and rear tires sealed with Stans sealant Shimano XTR brakes (metallic pads) and cranks (4 bolt 104) with 32×16 gearing Ashima Ai2 rotors Stages Cycling XTR power meter 9-speed SRAM 991 hollowpin chain Thomson Masterpiece seatpost and Sella Italia SLR saddle Niner RDO bar, Syntace F109 stem and C3 aerobars, unknown bar ends, ESI Chunky Grips Time XC12 Ti pedals
Bike Bags:
I’ve used Eric’s stuff since he had that “other” name. This year I used a Revelate Designs full framebag, seatbag, Gas Tank, Jerry Can, and two feedbags. Amazing!
Clothing:
Primal Wear bibs and jersey
Fox Demo Air full finger gloves
Vermont Darn Tough wool socks (above ankle length)
Pearl Izumi X-Project 1.0 shoes
Smith Overtake helmet and V2max glasses with rose photochromic lenses
Patagonia long sleeve capilene 1 base layer (white)
Pearl Izumi fleece leg warmers
Louis Garneau Power Cap
Marmot Essence rain jacket
Montbell Versalite rain pants
MLD EVent rain mitts
Bozeman Mountain Works Cocoon hoody
Sleep System:
Montbell Breeze Dry-Tec UL bag cover
Western Mountaineering Highlite
Torso length ⅛” closed cell foam pad/groundsheet
Extra Gear:
MSR Dromlite 4L bladder and 2 bike bottles
Garmin ETrex 30 (Thanks Brett!) and Edge 520 GPS units
Spot Gen3
K-Lite lights, Sinewave USB charger, 6000mA cache battery (mostly unused), Black Diamond Spot backup headlamp
Repair kit: Tire repair (2 tubes, 2oz Stans, tubeless repair, Park patch, tons of tube patches, floss, super glue, pump, Big Air, presta/schrader adaptor), spare cleats, spare BB bearings, miscellaneous bolts, fiberfix spoke, multi tool, chain lube, rag, tire lever, gorilla tape
Small first aid/fire starting kit
Personal hygiene kit
for more words from chris visit his website at, slipangles.blogspot.com. You can also find him on Instagram at @pivvay or on Facebook at Chris Plesko.
Congrats Chris! Well done. Love the last pic with your boys.