Outsiders: Miron Golfman

Photos by Nelson Brown

Miron is no stranger to long distance racing in the US. In 2022 Miron set a new record on the Baja Divide route. In 2023 he won the Colorado Trail Race, nursing a broken hand. Then in 2023 and 2024, Miron completed back-to-back wins on the Iditarod Trail in Alaska, a winter ultra like no other which stretches for 1000 miles across some of the most inhospitable trails on earth.

Miron's passion for this style of riding goes beyond just performance though. In 2020, Miron took a break from his career as an outdoor instructor to be a live-in caregiver for his uncle, Bruce, who was diagnosed with ALS in the fall of 2017. In 2022 when Miron broke the Baja Divide FKT, he rode it in memory of Bruce and raised $90,000 to support others living with ALS. He enjoys the teaching (and learning) opportunities that cycling has offered him too, building on his experience as an instructor, he has continued to raise money for causes close to his heart when racing events like the Iditarod Trail Invitational.

At the start of this year Miron and his partner Gabi left the US for the UK, packing up their bikes and a few bags in search of a new adventure. Ahead of this year's Atlas Mountain Race, we caught up with Miron in London as he put together his final preparations for his first race of the year and looked ahead to what's in store for him in 2025.

Miron, tell us a bit about where you’re from and how you got into bike packing?

I grew up on the east coast of the United States in the green mountains of Vermont. My parents were big outdoor enthusiasts and instilled in my brothers and I a strong sense of environmentalism and a passion for adventure. When I was at university, I joined the varsity cycling team and developed a passion for competitive mountain biking. Starting out in my career as an outdoor guide, I developed a passion for bikepacking. In 2020, I discovered ultra endurance racing and was immediately hooked.

You won the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000 in 2023 and 2024. What took you to Alaska originally?

In 2020, my life was in flux and I moved to Alaska on a whim! I moved with the intent of staying for the summer and ended up living there for four years. On my first night in Alaska, I was having dinner with friends and sharing my aspirations for ultra-endurance cycling. Someone had asked if I had heard of the Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI). I hadn’t, but my imagination was immediately captured. From there, it became my primary goal to take part in the event.

Can you tell us a bit more about the history of the race? What makes it so hard?

Many people have heard of the Iditarod dog sled race. This race began to honor the route taken by dog sleds years ago as a means to transport the measles vaccine to save children in the village of Nome, Alaska. The Iditarod Trail Invitational mirrors this same route but is solely human-powered. It is self-claimed as the hardest race in the world, bringing individuals from all over to compete by bike, ski and foot. The challenges of this event lie in its multifaceted nature. It requires much more than physical fitness alone. From navigating wildly varying conditions in some of the most extreme temperatures on earth, to in-depth logistical planning due to the remoteness of much of the route, it is definitely not an event for the faint of heart!

How did you train to win a race like the ITI which is run in extreme conditions?

I was lucky enough to live in Alaska which gave me the opportunity to spend ample time on the Iditarod trail itself. My background as an outdoor guide and the skills I learned from my outdoor educated parents were incredibly valuable assets to my training. Ultimately, I was able to put in the time and train in the harsh conditions I would face.

What was the motivation to go back again for a second year? The Northern route record, or something bigger?

Honestly, chasing the Northern route record (and overall record) was largely the motivating factor for my second go of it [Miron broke the Southern Route record in 2023]. But once I was out on the trail, my goal shifted to simply finish what I had started. It is no secret that my second attempt was notably more difficult than the first due to more extreme conditions than the year prior. I am just proud to have pushed through the challenge and to have shared the experience with a dear friend.

How did it differ to be racing alongside someone in 2024 compared to 2023?

The experience was incredibly different! The Iditarod trail is incredibly remote and I experienced some of the deepest loneliness I have ever felt during my first go around in 2023. While 2024 was more challenging in every way, I once again am so grateful to have had Tyson Flaherty by my side.

You've used your ultra-endurance events to raise awareness of issues in the past. What was the awareness aim for the ITI?

In 2024, I worked with the Defend the West Su Project to bring awareness to a proposed mining project in Alaska that would have deep ecological and environmental impacts, also affecting parts of the historic Iditarod trail. Unfortunately, this fight is ongoing. You can learn more about the proposed mining project and the Defend the West Su Project at westsuwild.org.

You have been doing a lot recently on and off the bike, notably moving to the UK this month. What's the plan?

In 2025, I have a number of projects planned. On the racing side of things, I will be participating in the Mountain Series: Atlas, Hellenic and Silk Road Mountain Races. In addition to this, I have some exciting expeditions in Norway, Iceland, Spain and Nepal planned. I am incredibly excited to be largely based out of the UK this year and having the opportunity to work more closely with partners like Albion, and involve myself with the community here.

You've also raced in wildly different environments in the past, from Colorado to Scotland. What attracts you to specific races?

Simply put, dynamic races attract me. It is generally why I am drawn to mountain racing over more gravel or road races. I enjoy the challenge of events that require a multifaceted skill set. Getting to travel to new places and experience new environments is the cherry on top.

Why do you ride?

To push the limits of what I previously thought possible.

How has your life up until now influenced that? Was it something you always wanted to do?

I think the desire to push oneself is an innate quality. Of course much of the way I was raised and many of my life experiences have instilled in me a strong sense of tenacity. But I think the desire to push myself to the levels I do, for better or worse, is just something I was born with. I have always dreamed of being a professional athlete. The journey to this point has and continues to be incredibly challenging and scary, but I am immensely grateful for the opportunity I have now in living out one of my deepest held dreams.

What keeps you riding when things are hard?

Knowing that the sun will always rise again! As hard as it can be to remember in the darkest moments, nothing is permanent, the hardest moments too will end.

What’s the biggest luxury in your bags before any race?

I honestly try to travel to events as light as possible, so aside from maybe a spare outfit to wear after a race, I generally only have with me what I’ll race with. My biggest luxury in my race kit is for sure that I always have with me some sort of sleeping bag. I have learned over the years that good warm sleep is invaluable. So when it comes to my sleep system I don't skimp.

What are you hoping to achieve in 2025?

In 2025 I'm most excited about experiencing and growing on the community side of racing. One of my favorite aspects of participating in new events and going to new places is all the new people you meet. I have never left a race, or event in the bikepacking community without new contacts in my phone. I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to race among the European ultra-endurance community this year and for all the new connections and opportunities that will inevitably come!