Svein and Gregs take on the Taurus mountain race cancellation and talking about the 2026 Grizzly Gripper with Wise words from Lael Wilcox

From FKT Challenges · 1:37:46

Show by svein tuft

Svein sits down with Greg Taylor, first-ever winner of the Grizzly Gripper, fresh off a 24-hour backyard ultra at White Grizzly Lodge in Meadow Creek, BC.The Taurus Mountain RaceWhile the Grizzly Gripper was unfolding, nearly 400 riders faced extreme conditions at the inaugural Taurus Mountain Race in Turkey — 3,000-meter passes, torrential rain, and gusts to 120 km/h. Svein reads a harrowing firsthand account from elite racer Ulrich Bartholmes, who sheltered in a steel box at altitude and requested satellite evacuation at 2:00 a.m. His words: "The mountain doesn't care. Experience is an advantage, not an insurance policy."Greg and Svein debate race cancellation vs. rider discretion, the reality of rescue logistics (don't expect a helicopter in six hours), and where to draw the line on personal risk — especially when your rescue puts others in danger. A contrasting perspective from BC rider Megan Hackinen reminds us that what's dangerous to one person is nothing to another.The Grizzly GripperA backyard-style ultra: 38.5K loops starting every two hours, with a lodge at the finish. Twenty-two riders towed the line. Greg breaks down his world-championship-level prep and the curveball he didn't expect — the pace line. Burning watts at 32+ km/h six hours in was a strategic misstep. His takeaway: protect your glycogen, because the cold hours at 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 a.m. will break you.Svein adds: when you crack and you're cold, you need food the most — and that's the exact moment you want it the least. The lodge format creates a unique mental challenge: quitting is as easy as sitting down on the couch.Rider InterviewsDylan Lucy on the stop-and-go format. Heather Stefaniason, first female finisher, on her bear encounter — "the perfect outline of furry little ears." Jamie Henry on six laps of pure stoke. Seth Bitting on lodge logistics. Alec Janssens on community. Kevin Armstrong on safety radios. John DeVries on co-organizing: "a constrictor wrapping around your soul."The Final LapA group joined Greg for a victory lap that turned into a sub-90-minute rip. His take: there's a whole other energy when people show up for you on the last lap.Next episode: a full breakdown of the BC Epic. Send questions to [email protected] or @svein.tuft on Instagram.This episode is brought to you by:GripGrab — complete head-to-toe rider solutions for every condition. One brand to do the job of many. Visit https://www.gripgrab.com/?srsltid=AYCX9vK8HFDUPGv-0SdE2M4p91CWAE7eJ63Zq38xJh0r4kzEl17ABmIgLandyachtz Bikes — hand-built titanium custom frames in Vancouver. Bikes built to last a lifetime. Visit https://landyachtz.com/bike-hp/Sea2Sky Nutrition — bars, gels, drink mix, and sports supplements from a Canadian local company in Vancouver. Visit sea2skynutrition.ca and use code TUFT for 10% off.ConnectQuestions about the BC Epic? Reach out at [email protected] or DM Svein at @svein.tuft on Instagram. Looking to ride? White Grizzly Gravel Camps are back next summer — find details at whitegrizzly.com/summer.The next Grizzly Gripper is tentatively scheduled for May 8–9, with both 12-hour and 24-hour options. See you in Meadow Creek.

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