November 14, 2022

"I Was Shocked" Hannah Otto Smashed the Whole Enchilada FKT by Nearly an Hour

38 minutes

Hannah Otto is a World Cup mountain bike racer, FKT record holder, and Leadville 100 winner who has been racing since the age of 9 years old. Last month she set the fastest known time for riding the Whole Enchilada from bottom to top, and top to bottom in a time of 5:50:38.

You can watch a short film about her FKT attempt here (https://youtu.be/oErEWLGdPlI) and follow Hannah on Instagram @hannah_finchamp

In this episode we ask:

How did you first get into mountain bike racing?

How do FKT attempts compare to races like the Leadville 100 or even a World Cup XC race? Is one more stressful than the other?

Tell us about your Whole Enchilada FKT attempt. Why that route?

Was this your first time riding this exact route? Had you ridden the Whole Enchilada descent before?

According to Strava all the fastest times on the Whole Enchilada were posted by men. How did it feel to best all of them by nearly an hour?

Which was more challenging: the climb or the descent?

Was the weather a factor when you made your attempt?

Did you do any training specific to this trail, and this FKT attempt?

I assume all of your gear held up well. Any surprises out there?

What have you learned by working with bike coaches over the years?

Do you use caffeine before or during races? Why or why not?

What does your rest and recovery routine look like?

Which races or FKTs are you targeting for 2023?

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available at singletracks.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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