He Designs Florida Bikepacking Routes that Include a Dose of Swamps, Sand, and Alligators

Karlos Bernart is the Founder, Off Road Architect, & Event Mastermind at Singletrack Samurai. His group organizes and plans a number of rides and bike routes in Florida including the Huracan 300, CFITT, and the Florida Divide.

• How did you get into mountain biking and route planning?
• Is your goal to include as much singletrack as possible when you design bikepacking routes like the Huracan 300? How has the route evolved over the years, and why?
• Is it difficult coordinating access with land managers along the route for a long, 100+ mile rides?
• How do you know when you’ve added the right number of challenges to a route? Do you try to balance difficulty with enjoyability?
• What is the right size for an race like the Huracan?
• How much time do you spend scouting new routes, and verifying that existing ones still work?
• Of all the Florida off-road routes you’ve assembled, which one is your favorite? Which one do you recommend for folks who want the full Florida off-road experience?
• Which bikepacking gear developments do you think have made bikepacking more accessible and enjoyable over the past 5-10 years?
• How do you motivate someone who is having a bad ride?
• Do you have any mental tricks or strategies for getting yourself through the toughest parts of a big ride?

Find out more about biking in Florida at singletracksamurai.com.

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