Congratulations to Jennifer Biondi, the first woman to finish the 2026 Smoke ‘n’ Fire bikepacking event in Idaho. Jennifer completed the challenging 420-mile route in 6 days, 13 hours, and 51 minutes, and she did so at 61 years young! Find her detailed ride recap here…

Finish photos by Emalee Marie

The Idaho Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 is a 400-mile self-supported mountain bike race traversing some of Idaho’s diverse geography on two-track, big gravel and dirt Forest Service roads, challenging singletrack, some hike-a-bike, and a few paved roads. Fifty-eight riders registered for live tracking at this year’s grand depart, which started from Boise on Thursday, September 3rd. Among them, just seven women.

On the evening of Wednesday, September 9th, Jennifer Biondi became the first woman to finish this year’s event, rolling back into Boise after 6 days, 13 hours, and 51 minutes. When we reached out to Jennifer to hear more about her ride, she praised the Idaho Women’s Bikepacking group, led by Laura Guymon Heiner, for setting her up for success. Read a detailed reflection from Jennifer below.

Jennifer’s Smoke ‘n’ Fire Story

Words by Jennifer Biondi

I logged 84 miles in August. I missed so many bikepacking trips due to work, family, and personal health. I was pretty frustrated and down. Being on my bike is a privilege and joy, so I guess I was a bit depressed. Then I had this hair-brained idea to sign up for Smoke ’n’ Fire 400 because it’s in my backyard. If I couldn’t finish, I could easily get a ride home. It sounded like a simple plan.

But first, I needed some gear, so I called Laura Heiner, who started Idaho Women’s Bikepacking (IWBP). Laura and her husband, Cody, are incredible humans, and they set me up for success. Neither will ever take credit because that’s not the type of people they are. They taught me how to load my bike “high and tight,” how to navigate (still working on that), how to pack, plan meals, build a repair kit, and most importantly, not pack my fears. IWBP has a free gear library available to all, so I checked out a Spot Tracker and a bivy. The latter was a weight-saving decision, and I paid the price, as it was a cold and wet race until the final stretch.

Next, I had to make sure my bike, Scooby Doo, was up for the adventure. Two new tires, front and rear brakes, rotors, and a trued wheel later, I pulled the trigger and also reached out to Kasey Hochmuht to ask if we could share some miles. I was registered, and then texts and calls started coming in, full of love and support. I smiled and visualized my epic adventure.

From the start, my plan was simple: ride with joy and inspire other women that if a 61-year-old lady can do it, they can too. Here’s the craziest part: I did smile the whole time. The only time I got upset was when my navigation misdirected me, or rather, the alert sounded after I passed a turn. I had a brief moment of frustration when I couldn’t find the Airliner Trail. When I had a nice flow going and it started to downpour, I simply laughed and put on rain gear. I pulled it on and off a lot. I used that time to stretch and refuel. Lugging around a heavy solar power battery bank was comical. Totally useless in our conditions. I had to laugh. Buying a new and rather expensive chamois and only doing a test ride around the block was a rookie mistake. I even tossed out my extra tried-and-true chamois the morning of the race to save weight.

By Featherville, that chamois was making its mark on my stupidity. I had to at least get to Smoky Bar, and since the chamois was too big, I decided to put my sleeping tights on underneath. It actually worked, so I pushed on the Ketchum. I didn’t get there early enough to shop for a new chamois, so I figured I could buy something at Galena Lodge. They didn’t have the right size or style I was looking for, but their food is top-notch, so I didn’t worry about my chamois anymore. I stayed at Galena for quite a while.

I was processing what I wanted to do. Some fellow SNF racers encouraged me to push for it, but I thought it would be a chicken-shit move not to tackle the infamous Titus climb if I were going to scratch. I could easily go to Smiley Creek and call for a ride home. When I was getting ready to leave, Chelan, the operator of Galena Lodge, said she was watching my dot and asked how I was doing. I beamed, “I’m having so much fun.” She hugged me and said it was nice to hear someone was finally having a good time. I found that so interesting and also inspiring. Why aren’t other people having fun? I sure didn’t sign up for misery. I continued with an even stronger desire to finish…yes, smiling.

I never lost sight of my choice to have fun. When I stopped to take some layers off before I started up Fisher Creek, a horse came over and kissed me. At the bottom of Fisher Creek, I pulled out my pocket knife and cut off the legs of my tights. I most definitely smiled at my creativity. I spent hours feeling grateful to be out riding my bike on an epic adventure. I thought about the book, Bicycling with Butterflies, and how the author rode over 4,000 miles to watch their migration. I could at least ride 423, right? My desire to cross the finish and hug my mom also pulled me forward mile after mile. I absolutely loved all the singletrack on the route. Okay, not Airliner—is it even rideable? I went 36 hours without sleep. I don’t know if I’ve ever done that, let alone on a bike or walking my bike. I laughed at how unthinkable it was that I was going up Scott Mountain in the dark. I also giggled that my error might actually put me in the lead. I encountered bats and then laughed that Halloween is just around the corner. My mind wouldn’t allow me to feel anything but joy.

I was concerned that my legs were super swollen when I arrived in Placerville. That’s also where I discovered sleeping in a vault toilet is not so bad when the only other option is freezing outside. When I woke up from probably my best night’s sleep of the race, I thought, dang it, My Place (previously Donna’s Place) doesn’t open until 8 a.m., and I really have to go to the bathroom. Then I started laughing when I caught the toilet right behind my bike wheel. More smiles and joy!

As I left Placerville, staying way too long because Wilma, the owner of My Place, had so much history to share with me about the town and even pulled out her own stash of homemade cinnamon buns to fuel me the rest of the way home, I asked my legs to get me home. I would treat them to a massage. I’m actually glad I wasn’t checking Trackleaders and didn’t know Chelsea was only six miles behind me. I thought she was staying in Garden Valley to recover. Instead, I rolled with joy, imagining my mom’s hug.

When I hit the top of Bogus, my chain popped off my jockey wheel. I figured out how to put it back on and kept moving forward, willing my body to get me to the finish line. I was mostly giddy that I was almost to the end. On the last big pavement climb—I think it’s Highlands—my shifter cable went slack, and I accidentally put it into a harder gear and decided I best get out of the saddle and finish strong. Crossing the finish line playing my mini harmonica and seeing so many people awaiting my arrival is a day I will never forget. Oh, and that hug from my mom will be with me forever.

My goal was to have fun and finish. Check those boxes! What I learned is I’m tougher than I ever thought. My age is really just a number. Showing up is proving to yourself that you can do it. I’m so grateful for our community of rad, loving cyclists and all the dot watchers. I honestly believe you all helped me cross the finish line. It takes a biking village.

I will wrap this up by saying: all you ladies out there thinking about SNF400, start by joining Idaho Women’s Bikepacking, then race in Connie Strand’s The Hot Taco. Put some miles on your saddle in between trips, too (don’t be like me and wear a new chamois on race day). Create your own plan to carry you through the tough times. Keep it simple. Smiling worked for me. Laura Heiner is betting $5 that I will show up next year. Does Fire ’n’ Smoke count?

Further Reading

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