Meaghan Hackinen
Meaghan Hackinen is an author and an ultra-endurance racer, riding out of Kelowna, BC. She holds fastest known times on routes across Canada and the USA, and writes about riding in her published books. Her focus is multi-day bikepacking races.
About
- Location: Kelowna, BC
- Bike, or favourite ride: Salsa Cutthroat
- Preferred riding disciplines: Off-pavement adventures and multi-day bikepacking races
- Other sponsors: Apidura, F2C Nutrition and Light Bicycle Wheels
Notable achievements
- 2021 BC Epic overall win and new women’s FKT
- 2019 and 2022 24-Hour World Time Trial Championship winner and new women’s FKT
- 2019 NorthCape4000 1st female, 5th overall
- 2020 First woman to complete an Everesting Roam 10 K in Canada (one of 5 Everestings total)
- 2021 Alberta-Rockies 700: 1st female, 3rd overall
- 2022 Transcontinental Race 3rd female, 34th overall
- 2022 The Big Lonely 3rd overall and new women’s FKT
- 2023 Buckshot Race overall winner
- 2023 Log Driver’s Waltz ITT new overall course record and women’s record
- 2023 Lost Elephant overall winner
- 2023 Dark Divide 300 2nd place overall and new women’s FKT
- 2023 Silver State 508 overall winner and new women’s FKT
Six questions
Why 7mesh?
The brand’s commitment to producing durable, adventure-ready apparel with the environment in mind is why I ride 7mesh. I love that 7mesh offers women’s specific clothing, plus they embrace innovation and tech in their quest to engineer apparel that can conquer the elements, and help me ride farther. I look forward to using their new line of Airmap products on the 2024 Tour Divide.
Plans or goals for the future?
I’d like to continue exploring the Okanagan and BC’s backcountry by and develop some multi-day bikepacking loops. Competitively, I am continually striving to improve in every aspect of endurance cycling—from stamina over long rides to bike-handling skills and leveling up my mindset—with the goal of racing more competitively in international events. My primary event focus this year is the 4,400-km long Tour Divide Mountain Bike Race, and I’ll be competing in Ozark Gravel Doom and the Buckshot as warm up events in the spring.
Favourite place to ride?
Switzerland, hands down! I’m lucky enough to have several friends near Montreux and Bern. The cheese and wine is fantastic, and road cycling in the Swiss Alps is out of this world.
One thing you always carry on every trip?
Earbuds.
Favourite ride snack?
I can survive for days on Snickers bars.
Best weather to ride in?
Mild and sunny—the shoulder season in the Okanagan