The story of Kurt Refsnider’s bike ride on the Colorado Divide Trail begins with a surprise.

“I didn’t expect to rely on my Fenix lights to get me through to the finish line on the Colorado Divide Trail,” the endurance biker tells Fenix Lighting.

However, as all serious outdoor enthusiasts know, nature has a way of delivering the unexpected. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to be fully prepared with our tools and fill our hearts with courage. Which is precisely what Fenix Lighting ambassador Kurt did.

He equipped himself with the Fenix BC26R, the Fenix HM65R-T, and a seemingly infinite amount of determination and perseverance to successfully complete the arduous 3,100-mile-long Continent Divide Trail.

Recognized as a premiere trail among the outdoor community, the CDT challenges hikers and bikers with its wild trails, demanding terrain, and unexpected weather patterns. Few dare to undertake a journey on the CDT. Even fewer complete it.

Navigating the Unexpected With Fenix Lights

When Kurt began his journey, he didn’t expect to ride his bike at night. Knowing that daytime rides would be grueling enough, he planned to rest well and sleep long to give his body time to recover every day. So naturally, he didn’t expect to rely on his Fenix lights too much.

However, the trail had different plans for Kurt. Sometimes planned, often unplanned, Kurt found himself riding long into the night.

“In Southern Montana, the only way to get away from swarms of mosquitoes was to ride at night. That’s when the mosquitoes abated.” Not only did Kurt need his Fenix lights to bike well after dark, but also set up camp late at night.

While the BC26R’s 1600 lumens illuminated his trail, the HM65R-T, with its 1500 lumens and useful tilt mechanism, proved useful to quickly set up camp and have enough time to rest before another day of strenuous biking.

Biking through the New Mexico desert during a week of near-record-high afternoon temperatures, Kurt knew that the smartest way to get miles in without compromising on his physical well-being was to bike during the cooler night hours.

Kurt relied on the BC26R’s beam distance of 554 feet (169 m) and powerful lumens to see far into the distance. While the handlebar-mounted bike light illuminated his path, the HM65R-T headlamp increased Kurt’s environmental awareness as it shined the light wherever he turned his head.

A long-distance trail in the wilderness constantly changes, but one thing you can rely on is that it's not going to be a simple, smooth ride. Riding through a trail like the CDT one expects relentless bumps, slips, and skids. The HM65R-T’s patented headband fit system keeps the light secure around the head and even if one drops the light, there is no need to worry. Built from a quality magnesium alloy, this rechargeable headlamp is not only lightweight, but also durable. The BC26R bike light also comes with a dustproof, waterproof, and shockproof design as well, which empowers you to ride with confidence.

Daring to Chart a New Path With Fenix Lights

Outdoor professionals know that plan pivots are a part of the journey, but when storms threaten you late at night or you realize you are running short on supplies, even the toughest can waiver.

However, courage isn’t having no fear. It’s moving forward despite the fear. Kurt did just that.

“In southernmost Wyoming, I was woken up by an unexpected lightning storm. I needed to quickly break camp and flee from my beautiful ridge-top campsite. The trail descended steeply and I needed to balance speed with surety. Having the brightest lights not only helped me see where I was going but also banished sleep from my eyes,” Kurt says.

Built to withstand the toughest environments, the HM65R-T is impact-resistant and IP68-rated, which means it’s fully protected against dust and foreign objects and submersible to 2 m. One of the best things about the BC26R is its 100° floodlight beam that offers a wider field of view making it much easier to see while turning corners – an extremely useful feature when you’re riding on mountainous terrain, especially in a hurry to get away from a storm.

The ruggedness of both these lights also served Kurt well in Northern New Mexico when he needed to beat evening storms and rain that threatened to turn the trails slick. “When the rain comes, the trails transform to being sticky mud and you are reduced to carrying your bike on your back.” Guided by his Fenix lights, Kurt was able to dodge these challenging weather conditions and avoid extra physical and mental stress.

Not only do professionals like Kurt trust the BC26R and HM65R-T for their brightness, durability, ruggedness, and useful features, but they also rely on them to adapt to their dynamic situations. “When my food supplies began to run low at several points in the ride, I opted to ride "extra" hours in the dark to get to the next town a bit sooner. Food stress is one of my least favorite kinds of stress when on the trail,” Kurt shared. The BC26R offers a maximum runtime of 65 hours and the HM65R-T delivers a maximum runtime of 300 hours. Both the lights also feature battery level indicators that added to Kurt’s confidence that he could extend his rides.

Trailblazers Choose to Be Guided by Fenix Lights

The best athletes demand the best gear because anything less can compromise the mission. Accompanied by his chosen Fenix lights, Kurt surmounted every challenge the intimidating and stunning Colorado Divide Trail threw at him.

Equipped with useful features like the combination spotlight and floodlight and the patented headband system that can be adjusted single-handedly, the HM65R-T is the perfect choice for the most challenging outdoor activities. With its quick-release bike mount and 100° floodlight beam, the lightweight BC26R is a versatile bike light that will serve you well from mountains to cities.

3,100 miles, 3 months, and an infinite amount of perseverance, courage, and stamina led Kurt to the Mexico border and the southern terminus of the Colorado Divide Trail. He was not only right on his planned schedule but also in the highest of spirits. His long nocturnal rides illuminated by Fenix lights served him well.