Video: Elizabeth Sampey on Racing the Arizona Trail, Setting an FKT, & How That Experience Changed Her

Mar 23, 2022 at 9:40
by Alicia Leggett  

Elizabeth Sampey set a time record on the Arizona Trail for 9 days, 11 hours, and 44 minutes in 2019. Now, she's returned to the rugged, 800-mile trail spanning Arizona from the border of Mexico up to Utah to re-ride her favorite parts and reflect on what that race meant to her.

bigquotesOne of my core beliefs as a human is that if we mine enough in the dark caves of life, we can find gold nuggets buried in there.Liz Sampey

photo
photo

photo
photo

photo

Photos: James Q. Martin, Nelson Klein, and Chris Reichel
Video: James Q. Martin
Support: Revel Bikes

Author Info:
alicialeggett avatar

Member since Jun 19, 2015
740 articles

28 Comments
  • 17 0
 Thanks everyone! Jumping in here quickly before the comment section turns sour, but I appreciate you friendly folks and so does Cody bear. and yes, #onelesssprinter haha
  • 2 0
 Is that photo of you riding down those water bars at Buggs Springs?
  • 3 18
flag DetroitCity (Mar 23, 2022 at 17:19) (Below Threshold)
 @greenpistol: yes it is. Which is not even on the AZT. Just shows posers pose, no matter what area of riding it is. Make a story about the AZT and post a picture of a different trail for the article. Just shows how low the bar is.
  • 3 0
 Woman rides 750 miles of singletrack in one shot and sets a course record. Hater on PinkBike calls her a poser. Nice work @DetroitCity, I hope you're proud of yourself. You're a real asset to the community.
  • 1 3
 @dthurbs: she rode the trail 3 years ago. For this photo shoot they were posers. They pretended they were riding, to take a picture. At least "pose" on the AZT if you are making a movie about the AZT.
  • 2 0
 @DetroitCity: Not that it's worth arguing about, but the title does say "Liz Sampey ON racing the AZT". Which leads me to believe it's a story about her racing the AZT, not necessarily the footage of her racing the AZT. Does it change the fact that she set the record for this trail? Not sure why you're get so bent out of shape about her riding another trail. Also not sure why i'm wasting my time responding but here we are.
  • 1 0
 @dthurbs: I wasn't trying to point out that wasn't on the AZT, I had just never seen anyone ride down those water bars before. That's at the trailhead and a 20 minute hike-A-bike up those...
  • 1 0
 @greenpistol: thats the 2nd hike a bike. I ride up and down them all the time. Hit me up if you want to shred.
  • 1 3
 @OCSunDevil: they were across the street from the AZT. They could have taken a photo on the AZT just as easy. Its created content, to get ad dollars. Its not like you can't at least be authentic still. This bike company raised the price on their frame 800 dollars in a few months. They got the money for authentic productions.
  • 9 0
 Cool video. Would love to have the time (and fitness) to ride that in one go.

Also, loving the astro van conversion. I get so tired of seeing the #vanlife people with $200K mercedes. This thing looks like it has had some adventures.
  • 1 0
 Totally agree. These things have become dick extensions and I feel I can say that owning a Sprinter. But all I need is my rolling metal tent, my cot and some cooking utensils. There's no prize for who can spend the most to boondock.
  • 4 0
 I completely agree! Liz is the real deal, keeping it simple and fun living on the road riding her ass off!
  • 10 2
 Unpopular opinion: Riding at night sucks
  • 5 0
 Yes. Your opinion is incorrect.
  • 5 0
 Thank you Pink Bike for sharing the film - stoked to have made this film with an awesome team!
  • 5 0
 I enjoyed the video. Cool woman, cool shots, cool sponsor, cool adventure!
  • 3 0
 Check the course profile. That’s some serious elevation gain. Respect.

images.payhip.com/o_1dv3and2s611dmi1scs33p1ihrr.jpg?width=1500
  • 3 0
 It's gnarly! The el profile doesn't even tell the whole story. Epic hike a bike sections, not to mention carrying your bike disassembled on your back through the Grand Canyon.
  • 4 0
 AZT is gonna have to happen in the next year or two, for sure.
  • 3 0
 She has a pet black bear, cool!
  • 3 0
 Way to go Liz! Progressing MTBing in every way!
  • 2 0
 Thanks for inspiring us to get out and ride!
  • 1 0
 Heck ya!
  • 2 0
 Beautiful Positive Person!!Smile
  • 2 0
 You rad!
  • 1 0
 insane route, amazing job!
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.023452
Mobile Version of Website