In the high-desert expanse of Southern Utah, where the geography is defined by jagged cliffs and ancient riverbeds, a five-year-old benchmark has finally fallen. Cam Jones, the 2025 Unbound Gravel and Life Time Grand Prix champion, has claimed the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the iconic White Rim Loop, erasing a record held by his primary gravel rival, Keegan Swenson, since the spring of 2021.
Jones completed the 100-mile off-road circuit in 5:23:27, knocking nearly five minutes off Swenson’s previous mark. Maintaining an average speed of 18.7 mph across a route characterized by rough jeep roads and punishing terrain, the 25-year-old New Zealander has solidified his status as one of the most versatile endurance athletes in the sport.
The achievement places Jones alongside Hannah Otto, who established the women’s benchmark for the route on May 2, 2025, as the current record holders for one of the most storied loops in Canyonlands National Park.
A calculated pursuit of a legacy
For many professional cyclists, a record attempt on the White Rim is a bucket-list adventure. For Jones, it was a targeted strike. The inspiration began years ago, rooted in a podcast interview featuring Swenson’s 2021 ride. According to Jones, the ride didn’t hold significant meaning until he moved to the United States two years ago and began to understand the prestige of the route and the stature of the riders who had attempted it.
Jones noted that he became fascinated by the history of riders competing for the record, expressing a desire to become part of the narrative of such an iconic loop. The attempt was strategically timed during a cross-country road trip that saw Jones travel from his base in Virginia to Oklahoma for Mid South, Kansas for Unbound testing, and eventually California for the Sea Otter Classic.
While the trip may have seemed like a casual odyssey, the record attempt was meticulously planned. Jones collaborated with filmmaker Danny Awang to document the effort and utilized a highly specialized equipment setup to handle the unique demands of the Utah terrain.
The engineering of a record
The White Rim Loop is an unorthodox beast—similar to the Leadville MTB 100 in that it is a mountain bike route lacking traditional single-track, consisting instead of grueling, wide-open off-road paths. To optimize for both speed and stability, Jones opted for a hybrid approach: a drop-bar full suspension bike.
His machine of choice was a Scott Spark World Cup RC. To make the drop-bar configuration viable on a mountain bike frame, Jones employed a particularly short and aggressively negative stem. This setup allowed him to maintain an aerodynamic profile while retaining the suspension necessary to absorb the relentless chatter of the jeep roads.
The configuration serves as a technical curiosity for the gravel community, mirroring the kind of setup that might have been used in the “Race Across the Sky” had official regulations not banned drop bars from the Leadville 100.
The ‘Sidequest’ philosophy
This record is not an isolated incident of brilliance, but rather the latest entry in what Jones calls his “Strava sidequests.” Since his breakout season, the Kiwi has developed a habit of targeting grueling, non-competitive challenges in the windows between major races.
In November, Jones tackled the Massanutten Ring in Virginia, a 69-mile backcountry lap in the Blue Ridge mountains. Despite the shorter distance compared to the White Rim, the Massanutten Ring proved far more punishing due to technical hike-a-bike sections and treacherous leaf-covered rock gardens. Jones described the experience on Strava as the most savage ride of his life, noting that the technicality of the terrain made it an entirely different mental and physical struggle.
He followed that effort in December with a singular, massive push to complete the Rapha Festive 500. Riding in New Zealand, Jones finished the challenge in just 13 hours, completing the ride in time for a family dinner before riders in the Western United States had even begun their attempts.
| Challenge | Location | Key Detail | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massanutten Ring | Virginia, USA | 69-mile technical singletrack | November |
| Rapha Festive 500 | New Zealand | Completed in 13 hours | December |
| White Rim Loop | Utah, USA | 100-mile FKT (5:23:27) | April |
Looking toward the title defense
While these efforts are often viewed as “silly” mid-season diversions, they serve as a potent indicator of Jones’ current form. By pushing his limits on the White Rim, Jones has effectively entered his competitive season in peak condition.
The timing is critical. Jones is now preparing to defend his Life Time Grand Prix title, a series that demands extreme versatility across varying terrains. His ability to maintain a high average speed over 100 miles of rough Utah backcountry suggests he is entering the defense of his crown with significant momentum.
The Life Time Grand Prix is scheduled to commence on April 16 at the Sea Otter Classic in California. This event will serve as the first official benchmark for the season, confirming whether Jones’ off-season “sidequests” have provided the edge necessary to stay atop the podium.
Do you consider the use of drop bars on full-suspension bikes is the future of ultra-endurance off-roading? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
