John Stamstad, Ultra-Marathon Cyclist
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lives and trains in Seattle, Washington while competing in some of the worlds most difficult Ultra-Marathon Bike races. Stamstad has dedicated himself to seeking those events which claim to be the ‘most challenging’ or the ‘most difficult’.

Stamstad first entered Ultra-marathon cycling by competing in the 1985 race across Missouri—547 miles non-stop from St. Louis to Kansas City and back. Thirty-six hours later Stamstad was hooked. In 1991 Stamstad switched to mountain biking when he entered Montezuma’s Revenge—a 24 hour wilderness race in Colorado in which competitors are required to climb a 14,272 foot mountain—Gray’s Peak. In 1992 he traveled to Australia for the first crossing of that continent by bicycle—The Australian Bicycle Challenge, a 3500 mile off-road race through the remote Outback. Also that year he entered his first Iditasport, a race in Alaska, in February, along the famous Iditarod Trail. Stamstad won that race in 1993, ’94, ’95, and ’96. In ’97 the race was changed to the Iditasport Extreme and distance of the race was increased from 170 miles to an arduous 350 and went across the Alaska range of mountains. Stamstad was the winner again with a time of 5 days, and 5 hours. Stamstad followed that with victories in 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Stamstad also holds the Ultra-Marathon Cycling Association 24 Hour Off-Road World Record of 352 miles, and in 1996 Stamstad was the first person to ride the 24 Hours of Canaan solo when he entered the relay as 4 different variations of his name. The next year an Official Solo category was created.

1999 was highlighted when Stamstad conquered the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route-the longest off-road trail in the world. He completed the 2500 miles and 200,000 vertical feet of climbing in 18 days and 5 hours.
2000 Season




John Stamstad: How I Conquered The Great Divide In 18 Days

MountainZone.com: John Stamstad: A Record-Setting Ride

Sports Afield: Hell on Wheels

Outside: Mountain Biking America's Backbone in a 19-day Blur
Click here for Stamstad's Race Results and Media Coverage
Want to learn more about John? Check out these articles:

  • King of Pain
  • That Which Does Not Kill Me Makes Me Stranger
  • Surviving the Cold: Tips from Iditabike Veteran John Stamstad
  • Interview with John Stamstad:Cycling’s Cerebral Diesel Engine
  • Sultan Of Subzero Cycling Does It Again

    Want to see more of John?
    Check out the Stamstad photo gallery:
    photo gallery