Video: Attempting the White Rim Trail FKT on Flat Pedals

Nov 5, 2021
by Yoshimura Cycling  

The White Rim Trail outside of Moab UT is one of the most beautiful trails in the USA, unless you’re at White Rim trying to set a FKT (Fastest Known Time) on a mountain bike. That is when it becomes a torturous desert filled with endless miles of bone-jarring rock, sandpits, and a seemingly endless climb out of the canyon floor at mile 87 that simply takes your breath away.

The machine after the 100 mile pounding on the White Rim Trail in Moab Ut.
@slothracing white rim trail sled and trophy

Southern California’s Jared Lozonne ( @slothracing )shares his vision quest after accepting a challenge from us to do the legendary White Rim Trail outside of Moab Utah…on flat pedals! You heard that correct. Many have tried to earn a FKT on this trail, but none to our knowledge have attempted the grueling 100-mile ride on flat pedals. Jared, armed with almost a gallon of hydration, a pair of high-top Vans, and a set of Yoshimura Chilao pedals sets out to establish a time for all others to come and take on the Flat Pedal Challenge.

Yoshimura has handcrafted a one-of-a-kind Flat Pedal Challenge trophy that is to be passed to those that can break Jared’s time (kind of like the Stanly Cup). Join Jared on his quest to set the bar for all those who accept the challenge.

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72 Comments
  • 58 0
 Man rides bike with pedals... I'm missing something.
  • 11 0
 The click bait title.
  • 5 0
 It's the FKTFP silly
  • 11 0
 Man watches longest pedal commercial ever. Ugh, I need more coffee.
  • 9 6
 How about "man sets out to show that you need clipless for efficiency, accepted by the community for decades, may not be true?".
  • 3 0
 @Wapiti29: This commercial bridged the gap between coffee and beer nicely.
  • 2 0
 The writeup could use some work. I think this is a pretty awesome challenge. 100 miles of dirt with +6k vertical in under 8 hours using flat pedals. That shot of the mesa from the valley floor looked intimidating.
Well done Jared!
  • 2 0
 @headshot: FKFPT
  • 2 1
 *Fastest Known Time finding a spot on his kit that doesn't say Yoshimura- yet to be completed...
  • 2 0
 @RSN333: haha! bravo
  • 43 0
 Lachland Morton rode around France on flat pedals from a supermarket bike with sendals. Didn’t brag about it.
  • 3 0
 but he had carbon insoles XD
  • 1 0
 @dj100procentenduro: yep, which was not hidden in the video. It still was 2$ flat pedals that you can only push, as any flat pedal.
  • 1 0
 My thoughts too
  • 1 0
 My thought exactly. Be cool man, your just going in circles.
  • 38 1
 Rad! I did the White Rim, self supported, 60# steel rigid Surly, flat pedals on shrooms in just under 72 hours!
  • 3 0
 That's the best way to do it!
  • 4 0
 Haha….I did it in 13 hours in a 4Runner…my butt was tired.
  • 1 0
 @giantcop: What gen?
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: 2nd gen butt
  • 1 0
 @tonit91: Nice - I had a 91 for a few years. Three.Point.Slow club.
  • 1 0
 @suspended-flesh: first gen 1987
  • 2 0
 @giantcop: OG T4R - RESPECT
  • 24 0
 The real challenge would have been with no pedals
  • 1 0
 Or round pedals
  • 24 1
 So how many dirty hippies have done this same feat already, just without the bullshit hype?
  • 2 0
 Did my first White Rim clip-less in 93'. Looong before suss (at least for me, ha), camelbacks, GUs, bars, tubeless, big wheels, big bars, social media, riding hydration vests, 20 lbs PSI, etc, etc. I think we all rode in waffle stompers and tee shirts, if my memory recalls. There where plenty of folks before me and my crew that cracked the solo clip-less RIM. We were just next in line. Still great seeing people getting out there and after it. It's a great loop indeed and the RIM will always kick your ass and will always be a remarkable feet. I think a lighter side, tongue and cheek approach to the marketing pedal hype knowing that 100's and 100's of people have done the solo RIM in every direction, from every spot, with every conceivable piece of gear, in ALL types weather and times of year would have had a stronger marketing impact.
  • 1 0
 @bmx911:Thanks but we were not trying to hype our pedals, just following Jared's vision and we went along to document his ride. He had never been there before and had no idea what was ahead of him. We hope you enjoyed his story. That's what it's about.
  • 15 0
 Is some madlad going to try this wearing a red riding jersey next?
  • 1 1
 sweat pants and a hoodie
  • 18 9
 You guys don't have to be jerks. The video was fun to watch. The effort is no joke. Congrats.
  • 13 2
 They can't help it, living in the dark, in mom's basement.....
  • 14 4
 Yes they do...sad. Just a man with a goal trying to challenge himself, and we went along for the ride and people want to throw shade. What ever happened to cheering someone on?

We are super proud of Jared for accomplishing his goal. At least someone in here recognizes the effort. Thanks Jeff.
  • 7 0
 @YoshimuraCycling: I'm a Jared and I approve this message and achievement.
  • 4 0
 They only needed a different opening tag line and none of these comments would exist. People already know flat pedals work.
  • 1 0
 @YoshimuraCycling: Oops - I didn't know you had an active PB account. I'll let you handle it!!
  • 4 0
 @shotouthoods: We did not come up with it.
  • 3 1
 No, we have to be jerks.
  • 9 0
 I have to make an attempt of FKT without chamois.
  • 5 0
 Saturday is my long day, and as I type this I am preparing for my 30 mile ride on Tenent Occult flats. 54yrs old and have never even tried clipless..... unless you count the late 80s and early 90s when I used toe cages and straps. It's only then that you truly know fear.
  • 5 2
 Looked a stunningly scenic route, looked like a gravel bike and flat pedals would have been a better weapon.

So many people ride nothing but flat pedals though and for longer rides, I am guessing by the end this was also some kind of advert for Vans flat shoes? They looked pretty retro.
  • 8 2
 And a woman won the grand divide with flats and boots. I only ride flats even on my gravel bike.
  • 9 5
 For endurance riding ,flats have a few advantages over XC or even road style pedals. As the pedal axel is under the arch of your foot.
1.Peak “sustainable” power is the same as ball of foot axel. But won’t activate small muscle in shin that get tired quickly then burn for the rest of the ride
2. You sit slightly lower behind the forks and bars . So are more aerodynamic
3. There is some mechanical advantage even this armchair expert doesn’t understand .
4.walking pushing is easier
5 . No hot spots with shoes
Apart from the great ride and achievement it is just a click bait title. Welcome to the outside!

@fracasnoxteam:
  • 4 1
 @fracasnoxteam:... she was also riding Singlespeed...
  • 3 0
 Agree, don't really see the issue with flats on such a long ride. The small advantage that clips have is way more pronounced on short intense efforts rather than on a long endurance ride. Do a XC eliminator flat pedal challenge instead
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: you got me with he "aerodynamics" LOL
  • 2 0
 @Worm-Burner: what a beast
  • 10 7
 The White Rim was cool 20 years ago but as of late it's just Strava heads trying to punch the clock or ego. Time to move on to something else but just not Everesting which is about as dumb. And that trophy ain't no Stanley cup but it's a nice thought.
  • 7 0
 this mf riding 100 miles in vans
  • 4 0
 Yes! That. The pedals look awesome, yay he proved you can still be a XC rider with flats… but he did it in Vans, flexible inefiencent shoes compared to dedicated cycling shoes like 5.10s. That should have been the title: man does white rim in Vans out of spite.
  • 2 0
 @dpars63: I've had several fairly stiff Vans over the years, some were for BMX and some were pro-skate models.
  • 2 0
 Nothing special in this story,I only ride flats and done some routes with much more ascend and rough terrain ,and the same distances,with the same averages speeds ,so ………,but good effort ,i can’t understand this thing with flats ,maybe on a road bike with averages speeds of 35+ I can understand but lowers 27,long live the flat pedals
  • 5 0
 Tons of long distance riders use flats. How is this special
  • 1 0
 I rode clipin pedals for the first time in over a year yesterday. To they do help with climbs and make descents on a hardtail a lot more carefree, but I missed being able to move my feet around and cornering feels worse. All I got!
  • 1 0
 Three thoughts:

1) I hate it when I run out of will, but boy does it build character when it happens mid-ride!
2) Love that t-shirt he's wearing while loading his bike in the van before the ride.
3) I don't mind my Vans for riding flat pedals, they seem to work fine.
  • 2 1
 FKT? BFD !
I did it self supported in around 14 hours with flat pedals. Didn’t even get a merit badge for it! I guess it was cause I got kicked out of the Cub Scouts for eating a Brownie!
  • 4 0
 Almost a gallon of water… i feel like I’d need twice that
  • 4 1
 Has Sam Hill tried this yet?
  • 4 0
 Sam: "Hold my beer..."
  • 3 0
 yoshimura ヨシムラ the exhaust maker?
  • 3 0
 Yep it's them, they've released some USA made pedals semi-recently.
  • 3 0
 not just blowing smoke anymore
  • 4 0
 Yes, it is run by Hideo 'Pops' Yoshimurs's grandson in the same Chino, CA., machine shop where the moto stuff is still made.

They have also released an interesting stem system that involves a baseplate that is compatible with both DC and SC bars.

In case people are interested, Pops revolutionized motorcycle racing and is considered the father of superbike racing.

www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-motorcycle-touring/pops-yoshimura-zmgz17sozhur
  • 3 0
 So cannot make FKT clipped in so creates a flat pedal “category”?
  • 2 0
 I'm more impressed how he did that in Van's Hi-Tops....!?!?!!!?
  • 2 0
 Rode 45 mi of the White Rim yesterday in Chacos. What's the big deal?
  • 3 1
 What was your time?
  • 1 0
 I saw a gang of Skonkas ride it in Chonklas while cheered on by Tortas.
  • 4 0
 Damn autocorrect - Chanclas
  • 1 1
 I I love that Yosh is making MTB parts purely for fun, because obviously it's not a money maker compared to their pipes. But this feels a bit contrived.
  • 1 0
 ….







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