Meaghan Hackinen: first woman ever who finish the Mountain Race Triple in a year
When it comes to bikepacking, few names shine as brightly as Meaghan Hackinen. In 2024, she etched her name into the bikepacking history books by racing to first place in the women’s category and finishing 7th overall at the legendary Tour Divide. But she didn’t stop there. This year, she made history again by becoming the first woman ever to complete all three Mountain Races (Morocco, Greece, and Kyrgyzstan) in a single season. A feat that tested not just physical stamina, but also logistics, mental toughness, and adaptability across continents.
We were lucky enough that Meaghan agreed to test a pair of BERT shoes (One year ago) during her travels, and since then, we’ve been cheering for her at every race. Recently, she kindly accepted our invitation for an interview and we’re thrilled to finally share her story, in her own words, with you.
1. Who are you?
I’m a Canadian bikepacker and writer whose two-wheeled adventures have taken me from Haida Gwaii to Mexico’s high plateaus, across Canada and the United States, and from North Cape to Tarifa along some of Europe’s highest paved roads. After a couple of knee surgeries, I transitioned from contact sports like rugby and roller derby to competitive ultra-cycling, accumulating FKTs as well as wins at events like the 2024 Tour Divide, and most recently the Silk Road Mountain Race. When I’m not training or racing, you can find me curled up with a good book, or working on my own creative writing projects.
2. Describe yourself in three words.
Curious, determined, and absurd
3. When and why did you start cycling?
I started cycling when I was an undergrad in university and I wanted to add some flavour into my tedious commute by bus and train to campus. It was love at first sight – the wind on my face, smell of meals wafting from open windows, and the joy of exploring the backroads in my own community – and soon I was planning my first big long-distance adventure down the Pacific Coast. That was in 2009; I started bikepack racing in 2017.
4. How do you prepare mentally and physically for each race? Do you have a ritual to follow, or do you just go with the flow?
I wouldn’t say I have a ritual, but I have a process. A long time ahead of each event I work with my coach to make a checklist of everything I need to do, from weekly training load to logistical things like booking vaccinations and flights. The mental side is more difficult than the physical training. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel truly ready for a race but doing everything in my power to arrive at the start line prepared boosts my confidence. One lesson I’ve learned along the way is to trust the process.
5. You did the Tour Divide last year and the mountain race series this year. Which one do you prefer doing?
Both were incredible, live-altering experiences that I will treasure until the end of my days. The scenery in Morocco, Greece, and Kyrgyzstan was truly out of this world, but I still had more fun on the Tour Divide. I think the difficulty of the Mountain Races made the experience more type two fun, whereas most of the Tour Divide was a perfect match for my strengths and riding preferences.
6. What was the best part of doing these races? Do you have a favorite one?
There are so many things I love – it’s impossible to choose just one! But I guess I’d have to say the adventure: as a kid, I always dreamed of having big adventures. And now I sort of feel like I’m living out my video game and Tolkienesque fantasies. Sometimes I pinch myself. Like, “Holy smokes, you’re really doing this?” My favourite race is usually the last race I completed. So right now, my favourite race is the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan.
7. You are the first woman ever to complete all three mountain races in a single season, so what was the most challenging part of doing this?
Probably the logistics around racing: getting to the start, booking international flights, having everything I need with me, deciding how to configure my bike for each event, studying the routes. As I said earlier, I need to be prepared to be confident, but with three big events on three different continents, it just takes a lot of time and energy.
8. Why do you think more men do bikepacking races than women?
Men are more represented overall in cycling than women, so it's no surprise this translates to more men racing than women. I can only speak for myself and not all women, but personally, I found it difficult to accumate the gear, knowledge, and confidence to enter a bikepacking race.
9. If you could do it again, what would you change?
I would procrastinate less in the planning stages, and spend more time addressing my weaknesses instead of worrying about them.
10. What is your MUST-have gear to include in your bikepacking races?
Aside from essential kit (first aid, repair, rain gear, sleep kit) I find the little things make the difference: lip balm, ear plugs, earbuds, and a plastic spoon for pots of ice cream or yogurt make all the difference.
11. Why did you decide to take BERT on these adventures?
I brought my BERT shoes with me on tour and travelling around Morocco and Greece because I wanted a no-fuss slip-on shoe to change out of when I wasn’t in the saddle. Comfort is key; especially since touring, for me, means just as much time walking and sightseeing as pedalling, I really didn’t want to have to clomp around in my bike shoes all day. Since storage space is limited and I appreciate how packable my BERT shoes were. They were also great on the long, transatlantic flights!
12. What's your favorite thing about BERT?
They’re as comfortable as a slipper but made for the outdoors!
13. You are turning 40 this year, I imagine you want to celebrate on the bike, so what will be your next adventure?
Yes, I turned 40 in January! My next adventures will be some big days out in BC’s Okanagan Valley where I live. The fall is a beautiful time here. I’m looking forward to packing up my BERTs and getting out for some quick overnighters to explore some new roads and favourite places before the snow comes.
Meaghan’s journey reminds us that bikepacking is about more than just racing it’s about resilience, adaptability, and finding comfort in the little things that help us keep going. At BERT, we feel honored to have been a small part of her story, and we hope her words inspire you to take on your own adventures with courage (and the right gear).
