✨ Support the Podcast ✨ In this episode, I sit down with Scott Morris to explore the origins of some of the sport’s most influential ideas and technologies. Scott shares the story behind creating the Arizona Trail Race, including the now-legendary decision to carry bikes across the Grand Canyon to preserve a fully self-supported route. He also explains how early GPS technology, long-distance adventure riding, and a DIY ethos helped shape the foundations of modern bikepacking events. The conversation also dives into Scott’s role in building the tools that power the sport today, including Trackleaders and TopoFusion, and how satellite trackers sparked the phenomenon of “dot watching.” Along the way, we discuss the evolution of endurance racing, the challenges of running a small tech company in the outdoor space, tracking massive ultrarunning events, and how new technologies like Starlink are changing the way people live and work in the backcountry. Viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of the history of self-supported racing, the technology behind modern endurance events, and the mindset that helped shape bikepacking into what it is today. ---------------- https://www.instagram.com/trackingscott/ https://trackleaders.com ---------------- (00:00:00) Side-by-Side Use, Regulation, and Night Riding Issues (00:04:17) Skiing vs Snowboarding Culture (00:06:44) Intro, Arizona Trail Race & First Grand Canyon Bike Crossing Planning (00:12:07) Self-Reliance Philosophy and Ultra-Run Comparisons (00:14:51) Arizona Trail Expedition, Early Mapping Software & GPS Signal Issues (00:19:39) Starlink, Satellite Redundancy, and the Mobile Remote Work Lifestyle (00:24:11) Challenges of Running Your Own Business (00:26:29) Event Tracking Technology, Competition, and Market (00:30:09) Post-COVID Expansion and Multisport Tracking (00:32:57) Major Events and Race Coverage Overview (00:33:08) Spot Trackers and Event Logistics (00:34:05) Track Leaders Origin and Tour Divide History (00:38:05) Growth, Community Adoption, and System Maintenance (00:40:24) Track Leaders Features, Complexity, and Development Challenges (00:43:09) Historical Data and Race Planning Insights (00:44:52) Biometrics, Metrics, and Athlete Performance Data (00:47:40) Cellular and Satellite Connectivity for Tracking (00:49:41) Professional Event Tracking and Ping App Development (00:54:37) GPS Adoption in Ultra-Running and Watches (00:56:19) Early Bikepacking GPS Navigation Stories (00:57:30) Technology Integration and GPS-Defined Courses (00:59:00) Advanced Route Building for the Arizona Trail (01:04:40) Grand Loop Planning and Bikepacking Philosophy (01:05:44) Race Leadership, Controversies, and COVID Impacts (01:10:14) Permits, Sheriff Threats, and Rescue Incidents (01:14:56) Grand Canyon Crossing Logistics and Water Planning (01:18:18) Cheating Cases and Community Policing in Bikepacking (01:22:10) Sponsorship, Commercialization, and Event Limits (01:30:29) Accessible Gravel Events and The Strange Series (01:33:25) Planning Personal Ultra Bike Races and Safety Concerns (01:36:03) Sleep Deprivation Stories and Race Regulations (01:44:45) Extreme Endurance Sports: Motor Racing, Motorcycles, and Iditarod (01:51:49) Bikepacking Heritage, Gear, and Media Evolution (01:57:27) Arizona Endurance Series and Mingus Trail Adventures (02:05:17) Community Reflections on Self-Supported Bikepacking (02:09:01) AI in Race Tracking: Ideas, Concerns, and Productivity (02:16:11) Nuclear Fusion and Future Energy Discussion (02:23:35) Viral Content, Algorithms, and Podcast Philosophy (02:32:49) Rapid Fire Q&A (02:34:04) SOS Rescues, Emergency Protocol, and Safety Lessons (02:45:26) Bike Gear Debates, Tires, and Camping Stories (02:49:59) Contact Information and Show Wrap-Up ---------------- #endurance #enduranceracing #enduranceathlete #endurancesports #adventure #bikepacking #bikepackracing