BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 1792 MARINE DR. ASTORIA, OR 97103 United States. The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists. Born out a desire to race on roads

with

THE 2022 KONA ROVE STEEL IS HERE 2022 Kona Rove. The standard Kona Rove is the most affordable steel frame option in the lineup. At just $1,499 USD, the complete build sees more budget-friendly components, like a Shimano Sora 2×9 drivetrain, mechanical Tektro brakes, and WTB Venture Comp tires. Though it still shows a lot of promise for light duty bikepacking,

commuting, and

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

Tour Divide Grand Depart. Banff, Alberta Canada. The 2021 Tour Divide is posted here, but as of now the Canadian / USA border is closed and COVID-19 restrictions may prohibit the event. Keep an eye on the Tour Divide Facebook group for updates. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized TWO RIGS OF THE HT550 Two Rigs of the HT550. The Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicked off this morning with 53 riders in the field. Two to watch are James Mark Hayden and Josh Ibbett, who are both accomplished ultra-endurance racers. We managed to get our hands on a few photos and details about

their race rigs.

2021 HIGHLAND TRAIL 550 The Highland Trail is the pinnacle of UK bikepacking routes. It takes in 550 miles and 50,000 feet of Scotland at its most rugged and beautiful. It features some seriously remote terrain including world renowned single track, rough dirt roads, hidden glens, and lochs, not

to

2021 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOLO GETS NEW PAINT 2021 Rocky Mountain Solo 30. The Solo 30 is the more affordable build in the line, built up around a SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, and Schwalbe G-ONE 700 x 38mm tires. It has a clean all-black paint job, the same 6061 SL Series Alloy frame and carbon fork, and retails for $1,399 USD. FRAME MATERIAL Butted 6061 SL Series THE BEST FLAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES OF 2021 The Flatline is Bontrager’s only flat-pedal-specific shoe. It comes in both men’s and women’s-specific sizes. The men’s version comes in two color options: black with red laces or “battleship” blue. The un-reinforced lace eyelets are rectangular in shape, which are designed to keep the laces flat.

TRANS-CAMBRIAN WAY

The Trans-Cambrian Way snakes its way across the heart of Wales, covering around 100 miles (160 km) from Knighton, on the English border to Dovey Junction, on the Irish Sea. The trail takes you across the Cambrian Mountains – the oldest mountain range in Europe – climbing around 12,000 feet (3,700 m), over hills and moorland through

one of

KONA UNIT X REVIEW

Kona also ditched the 100/135 quick-release dropout standards in favor of BOOST-spaced thru-axles (148 x 12mm rear and 110 x 15mm front). This was another major upgrade that not only allowed a shorter chain stay, it also provided a little more front and rear tire clearance—it now comfortably fits 29 x 2.8” tires (which I tried) and appears as if it will fit 3.0” tires as well. BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 1792 MARINE DR. ASTORIA, OR 97103 United States. The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists. Born out a desire to race on roads

with

THE 2022 KONA ROVE STEEL IS HERE 2022 Kona Rove. The standard Kona Rove is the most affordable steel frame option in the lineup. At just $1,499 USD, the complete build sees more budget-friendly components, like a Shimano Sora 2×9 drivetrain, mechanical Tektro brakes, and WTB Venture Comp tires. Though it still shows a lot of promise for light duty bikepacking,

commuting, and

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

Tour Divide Grand Depart. Banff, Alberta Canada. The 2021 Tour Divide is posted here, but as of now the Canadian / USA border is closed and COVID-19 restrictions may prohibit the event. Keep an eye on the Tour Divide Facebook group for updates. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized TWO RIGS OF THE HT550 Two Rigs of the HT550. The Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicked off this morning with 53 riders in the field. Two to watch are James Mark Hayden and Josh Ibbett, who are both accomplished ultra-endurance racers. We managed to get our hands on a few photos and details about

their race rigs.

2021 HIGHLAND TRAIL 550 The Highland Trail is the pinnacle of UK bikepacking routes. It takes in 550 miles and 50,000 feet of Scotland at its most rugged and beautiful. It features some seriously remote terrain including world renowned single track, rough dirt roads, hidden glens, and lochs, not

to

2021 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOLO GETS NEW PAINT 2021 Rocky Mountain Solo 30. The Solo 30 is the more affordable build in the line, built up around a SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, and Schwalbe G-ONE 700 x 38mm tires. It has a clean all-black paint job, the same 6061 SL Series Alloy frame and carbon fork, and retails for $1,399 USD. FRAME MATERIAL Butted 6061 SL Series THE BEST FLAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES OF 2021 The Flatline is Bontrager’s only flat-pedal-specific shoe. It comes in both men’s and women’s-specific sizes. The men’s version comes in two color options: black with red laces or “battleship” blue. The un-reinforced lace eyelets are rectangular in shape, which are designed to keep the laces flat.

TRANS-CAMBRIAN WAY

The Trans-Cambrian Way snakes its way across the heart of Wales, covering around 100 miles (160 km) from Knighton, on the English border to Dovey Junction, on the Irish Sea. The trail takes you across the Cambrian Mountains – the oldest mountain range in Europe – climbing around 12,000 feet (3,700 m), over hills and moorland through

one of

KONA UNIT X REVIEW

Kona also ditched the 100/135 quick-release dropout standards in favor of BOOST-spaced thru-axles (148 x 12mm rear and 110 x 15mm front). This was another major upgrade that not only allowed a shorter chain stay, it also provided a little more front and rear tire clearance—it now comfortably fits 29 x 2.8” tires (which I tried) and appears as if it will fit 3.0” tires as well. RIGS OF THE 2021 TOUR DIVIDE Joe Smith Age 54 / Delray Beach, Florida (USA) BIKE: The 2020 Salsa Cutthroat will be my horse in the race. I have it set up with the AXS SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain. A 32T in front and 50-10 in back. The front fork is a Lauf TR Boost and the tires are both 2.25” Vittoria

Mezcals mounted on

THE 2021 TOUR DIVIDE AND THE GREAT DIVIDE CLASSIC The border closure between the United States and Canada has just been extended again, through at least June 21, 2021. Because of that the annual Grand Depart of the Tour Divide on the 2nd Friday of June from Banff Canada will not be feasible. As a result the Tour Divide will be observing a US border-to-border race called the Great Divide Classic. BC GRASSLANDS CIRCUIT When most people think of British Columbia, they picture towering, glacier-capped mountains and vast conifer forests. In the south-central part of the province, however, lies a unique and environmentally significant grassland landscape. B.C.’s grasslands make up just one percent of its land base but provide habitat for almost a third of the province’s threatened and INTRODUCING THE EASTERN DIVIDE TRAIL About the Route. Once complete, the roughly 5,500-mile Eastern Divide Trail will be the longest contiguous off-road-centric bikepacking route in the United States. The route will run from Cape Spear, Newfoundland, the easternmost point in North America, to Key West, Florida, the end of the road going south in the United States. 2021 THUNDERBOLTS ADVENTURE: EVENT RECAP The Thunderbolts Adventure is a 230km gravel adventure in the remote wilderness region of the Barrington Tops in New South Wales. We reached out to Su Pretto, the winner of the ITT, as well as the event organizers for a reflection on this year's event. Find BIKE FRAME PROTECTION Here are a few links to the products we used in the video. Note that a couple of the bike-specific frame protection tapes can be bought from your local bike shop, and we recommend supporting them. However, if you are planning to buy online, you can use the affiliate links below and we get a very small kick back to help support our channel. LAEL WILCOX IS THE 2021 UNBOUND GRAVEL XL WOMEN'S CHAMPION Photos by Adam Andres Pawlikiewicz Mesa (@adamonthego)With an astounding time of 26 hours, 55 minutes, and 24 seconds (26:55:24), Lael Wilcox (@laelwilcox) became the fastest woman to finish last weekend’s Garmin UNBOUND Gravel XL in the Flint Hills around Emporia, Kansas, standing atop the podium of the challenging 358-mile (576-kilometer) race for the second year in a row. READER'S RIG: CODY'S CUSTOM ORLOWSKI Our Reader's Rig of the week comes from Cody Toth in Berlin, who shares the custom Rivendell-inspired tourer he had built by Polish framebuilder Jacek Orlowski. Learn more about Cody's bike and find a gallery of photos of it loaded up in camping mode here BIKEPACKING BIKES ARCHIVES Interested in a rig for bikepacking and dirt road touring? Read our in depth, real-world reviews here. Sort through reviews by category below, or find announcements to newer bikes we’ve yet to review in our News/New Bikes section. Also, dig into our Rider & Rig series featuring people and their bikes we meet while out riding MANISTEE OVERNIGHTER The Manistee Overnighter is a two-day bikepacking loop that traverses the northwest corner of Manistee National Forest in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Along the way, it passes through the coastal town of Manistee (full of boutique shops, eateries, and a brewery) before following the Little Manistee River, where you can fall asleep to the

sound of

BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 1792 MARINE DR. ASTORIA, OR 97103 United States. The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists. Born out a desire to race on roads

with

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

Tour Divide Grand Depart. Banff, Alberta Canada. The 2021 Tour Divide is posted here, but as of now the Canadian / USA border is closed and COVID-19 restrictions may prohibit the event. Keep an eye on the Tour Divide Facebook group for updates. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized THE BEST TIRES FOR THE GREAT DIVIDE? (VIDEO) What are the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the Tour Divide race, and other long, mixed-terrain bikepacking routes? Figuring out which tires will perform well and hold up for the duration can be tricky, especially given all the options on the

market.

TWO RIGS OF THE HT550 Two Rigs of the HT550. The Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicked off this morning with 53 riders in the field. Two to watch are James Mark Hayden and Josh Ibbett, who are both accomplished ultra-endurance racers. We managed to get our hands on a few photos and details about

their race rigs.

2021 HIGHLAND TRAIL 550 The Highland Trail is the pinnacle of UK bikepacking routes. It takes in 550 miles and 50,000 feet of Scotland at its most rugged and beautiful. It features some seriously remote terrain including world renowned single track, rough dirt roads, hidden glens, and lochs, not

to

2021 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOLO GETS NEW PAINT 2021 Rocky Mountain Solo 30. The Solo 30 is the more affordable build in the line, built up around a SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, and Schwalbe G-ONE 700 x 38mm tires. It has a clean all-black paint job, the same 6061 SL Series Alloy frame and carbon fork, and retails for $1,399 USD. FRAME MATERIAL Butted 6061 SL Series CARGO CAGES AND FORK-MOUNTED "ANYTHING BAGS" The Restrap Fork Bag is 100% waterproof, compatible with most cargo cages, and has a simple roll-top closure to keep your gear dry. It uses two 20mm wide straps with cinch buckles for mounting onto your favourite cage, and has a durable Hypalon base for added THE BEST FLAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES OF 2021 The Flatline is Bontrager’s only flat-pedal-specific shoe. It comes in both men’s and women’s-specific sizes. The men’s version comes in two color options: black with red laces or “battleship” blue. The un-reinforced lace eyelets are rectangular in shape, which are designed to keep the laces flat. NEW ERGON SMC CORE SADDLE REVIEW The new Ergon SMC Core Saddle takes comfort to the max with the addition of their “Core and TwinShell technology.” While the majority of saddles have a single shell and foam interior, the SMC Core uses a thick layer of closed-cell particle foam between two nylon composite shells, which allows the saddle to shift side to side and follow natural pelvic movements. BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 1792 MARINE DR. ASTORIA, OR 97103 United States. The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists. Born out a desire to race on roads

with

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

Tour Divide Grand Depart. Banff, Alberta Canada. The 2021 Tour Divide is posted here, but as of now the Canadian / USA border is closed and COVID-19 restrictions may prohibit the event. Keep an eye on the Tour Divide Facebook group for updates. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized THE BEST TIRES FOR THE GREAT DIVIDE? (VIDEO) With the Tour Divide kicking off tomorrow, folks might be wondering how riders choose the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a long and intense ride that tests all bike components, especially the ones grinding along day after day. TWO RIGS OF THE HT550 Two Rigs of the HT550. The Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicked off this morning with 53 riders in the field. Two to watch are James Mark Hayden and Josh Ibbett, who are both accomplished ultra-endurance racers. We managed to get our hands on a few photos and details about

their race rigs.

2021 HIGHLAND TRAIL 550 The Highland Trail is the pinnacle of UK bikepacking routes. It takes in 550 miles and 50,000 feet of Scotland at its most rugged and beautiful. It features some seriously remote terrain including world renowned single track, rough dirt roads, hidden glens, and lochs, not

to

2021 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOLO GETS NEW PAINT 2021 Rocky Mountain Solo 30. The Solo 30 is the more affordable build in the line, built up around a SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical brakes, and Schwalbe G-ONE 700 x 38mm tires. It has a clean all-black paint job, the same 6061 SL Series Alloy frame and carbon fork, and retails for $1,399 USD. FRAME MATERIAL Butted 6061 SL Series CARGO CAGES AND FORK-MOUNTED "ANYTHING BAGS" The Restrap Fork Bag is 100% waterproof, compatible with most cargo cages, and has a simple roll-top closure to keep your gear dry. It uses two 20mm wide straps with cinch buckles for mounting onto your favourite cage, and has a durable Hypalon base for added THE BEST FLAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES OF 2021 The Flatline is Bontrager’s only flat-pedal-specific shoe. It comes in both men’s and women’s-specific sizes. The men’s version comes in two color options: black with red laces or “battleship” blue. The un-reinforced lace eyelets are rectangular in shape, which are designed to keep the laces flat. NEW ERGON SMC CORE SADDLE REVIEW The new Ergon SMC Core Saddle takes comfort to the max with the addition of their “Core and TwinShell technology.” While the majority of saddles have a single shell and foam interior, the SMC Core uses a thick layer of closed-cell particle foam between two nylon composite shells, which allows the saddle to shift side to side and follow natural pelvic movements. RIGS OF THE 2021 TOUR DIVIDE Joe Smith Age 54 / Delray Beach, Florida (USA) BIKE: The 2020 Salsa Cutthroat will be my horse in the race. I have it set up with the AXS SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain. A 32T in front and 50-10 in back. The front fork is a Lauf TR Boost and the tires are both 2.25” Vittoria

Mezcals mounted on

THE 2021 TOUR DIVIDE AND THE GREAT DIVIDE CLASSIC The border closure between the United States and Canada has just been extended again, through at least June 21, 2021. Because of that the annual Grand Depart of the Tour Divide on the 2nd Friday of June from Banff Canada will not be feasible. As a result the Tour Divide will be observing a US border-to-border race called the Great Divide Classic. INTRODUCING THE EASTERN DIVIDE TRAIL About the Route. Once complete, the roughly 5,500-mile Eastern Divide Trail will be the longest contiguous off-road-centric bikepacking route in the United States. The route will run from Cape Spear, Newfoundland, the easternmost point in North America, to Key West, Florida, the end of the road going south in the United States. 2021 THUNDERBOLTS ADVENTURE: EVENT RECAP The Thunderbolts Adventure is a 230km gravel adventure in the remote wilderness region of the Barrington Tops in New South Wales. We reached out to Su Pretto, the winner of the ITT, as well as the event organizers for a reflection on this year's event. Find BIKE FRAME PROTECTION Here are a few links to the products we used in the video. Note that a couple of the bike-specific frame protection tapes can be bought from your local bike shop, and we recommend supporting them. However, if you are planning to buy online, you can use the affiliate links below and we get a very small kick back to help support our channel. LAEL WILCOX IS THE 2021 UNBOUND GRAVEL XL WOMEN'S CHAMPION Photos by Adam Andres Pawlikiewicz Mesa (@adamonthego)With an astounding time of 26 hours, 55 minutes, and 24 seconds (26:55:24), Lael Wilcox (@laelwilcox) became the fastest woman to finish last weekend’s Garmin UNBOUND Gravel XL in the Flint Hills around Emporia, Kansas, standing atop the podium of the challenging 358-mile (576-kilometer) race for the second year in a row. THE BEST TIRES FOR THE GREAT DIVIDE? (VIDEO) With the Tour Divide kicking off tomorrow, folks might be wondering how riders choose the best tires for the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a long and intense ride that tests all bike components, especially the ones grinding along day after day. MANISTEE OVERNIGHTER The Manistee Overnighter is a two-day bikepacking loop that traverses the northwest corner of Manistee National Forest in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Along the way, it passes through the coastal town of Manistee (full of boutique shops, eateries, and a brewery) before following the Little Manistee River, where you can fall asleep to the

sound of

DIRT ROAD TOURING ROUTE Note that this route was originally posted in 2015 and received a major update in June 2021. Please be sure to check in on Mexico’s COVID-19 Epidemiological Traffic Light Map before embarking on this tour.. When it comes to dirt road riding in Mexico, it doesn’t get much better than Oaxaca – which is saying something, because the country has a truly fabulous network of mountain, farm THE DISPATCH (BIKEPACKING NEWS) Think of Dispatch as a home for quick announcements, such as new bikes we find interesting, and new gear releases. Plus, find other tidbits from around the bikepacking and bike travel communities—like event recaps, and our weekly Reader’s Rig—as well as the larger world of

outdoor adventure.

BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 1792 MARINE DR. ASTORIA, OR 97103 United States. The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists. Born out a desire to race on roads

with

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

Tour Divide Grand Depart. Banff, Alberta Canada. The 2021 Tour Divide is posted here, but as of now the Canadian / USA border is closed and COVID-19 restrictions may prohibit the event. Keep an eye on the Tour Divide Facebook group for updates. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized VTXL - BIKEPACKING.COM The VTXL was designed as a gravel bike trip, so the recommended format is a drop bar bike with 700c x 42mm or 650b x 47mm tires and traditional soft bikepacking bags. Tires narrower than 35mm or so would probably make the ride less fun. A rigid or hardtail MTB would be perfectly suitable, of course. TWO RIGS OF THE HT550 Two Rigs of the HT550. The Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicked off this morning with 53 riders in the field. Two to watch are James Mark Hayden and Josh Ibbett, who are both accomplished ultra-endurance racers. We managed to get our hands on a few photos and details about

their race rigs.

2021 HIGHLAND TRAIL 550 The Highland Trail is the pinnacle of UK bikepacking routes. It takes in 550 miles and 50,000 feet of Scotland at its most rugged and beautiful. It features some seriously remote terrain including world renowned single track, rough dirt roads, hidden glens, and lochs, not

to

THE BEST FLAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES OF 2021 The Flatline is Bontrager’s only flat-pedal-specific shoe. It comes in both men’s and women’s-specific sizes. The men’s version comes in two color options: black with red laces or “battleship” blue. The un-reinforced lace eyelets are rectangular in shape, which are designed to keep the laces flat.

TEXAS ARCHIVES

The route is based around two local—and comically different—restaurants that provide all the necessary sustenance for the ride: Bullet Grill House and Taqueria Carmelita. Leave your stoves and logistical worries at home, as this 53-mile ride is as relaxed and straightforward as they come. 168

DALES DIVIDE 2021

Dales Divide 2021. A bikepacking track across the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks. Riders challenge themselves, to go as fast as they (safely!) can OVERLANDER BIKE GEAR, MADE IN CANADA A few months ago I heard about a new bikepacking gear company out of Alberta, Canada. However, it wasn’t until the grand depart of the 2018 BC Epic 1000 when I was able to see some of Overlander Bike Gear’s racks in person. There I met Bryan Teeuwen, who happened to be testing them out on his Norco Torrent during the race. BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 1792 MARINE DR. ASTORIA, OR 97103 United States. The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists. Born out a desire to race on roads

with

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

Tour Divide Grand Depart. Banff, Alberta Canada. The 2021 Tour Divide is posted here, but as of now the Canadian / USA border is closed and COVID-19 restrictions may prohibit the event. Keep an eye on the Tour Divide Facebook group for updates. The Tour Divide roughly follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the most recognized VTXL - BIKEPACKING.COM The VTXL was designed as a gravel bike trip, so the recommended format is a drop bar bike with 700c x 42mm or 650b x 47mm tires and traditional soft bikepacking bags. Tires narrower than 35mm or so would probably make the ride less fun. A rigid or hardtail MTB would be perfectly suitable, of course. TWO RIGS OF THE HT550 Two Rigs of the HT550. The Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicked off this morning with 53 riders in the field. Two to watch are James Mark Hayden and Josh Ibbett, who are both accomplished ultra-endurance racers. We managed to get our hands on a few photos and details about

their race rigs.

2021 HIGHLAND TRAIL 550 The Highland Trail is the pinnacle of UK bikepacking routes. It takes in 550 miles and 50,000 feet of Scotland at its most rugged and beautiful. It features some seriously remote terrain including world renowned single track, rough dirt roads, hidden glens, and lochs, not

to

THE BEST FLAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES OF 2021 The Flatline is Bontrager’s only flat-pedal-specific shoe. It comes in both men’s and women’s-specific sizes. The men’s version comes in two color options: black with red laces or “battleship” blue. The un-reinforced lace eyelets are rectangular in shape, which are designed to keep the laces flat.

TEXAS ARCHIVES

The route is based around two local—and comically different—restaurants that provide all the necessary sustenance for the ride: Bullet Grill House and Taqueria Carmelita. Leave your stoves and logistical worries at home, as this 53-mile ride is as relaxed and straightforward as they come. 168

DALES DIVIDE 2021

Dales Divide 2021. A bikepacking track across the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks. Riders challenge themselves, to go as fast as they (safely!) can OVERLANDER BIKE GEAR, MADE IN CANADA A few months ago I heard about a new bikepacking gear company out of Alberta, Canada. However, it wasn’t until the grand depart of the 2018 BC Epic 1000 when I was able to see some of Overlander Bike Gear’s racks in person. There I met Bryan Teeuwen, who happened to be testing them out on his Norco Torrent during the race. RIGS OF THE 2021 TOUR DIVIDE Joe Smith Age 54 / Delray Beach, Florida (USA) BIKE: The 2020 Salsa Cutthroat will be my horse in the race. I have it set up with the AXS SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain. A 32T in front and 50-10 in back. The front fork is a Lauf TR Boost and the tires are both 2.25” Vittoria

Mezcals mounted on

VTXL - BIKEPACKING.COM The VTXL was designed as a gravel bike trip, so the recommended format is a drop bar bike with 700c x 42mm or 650b x 47mm tires and traditional soft bikepacking bags. Tires narrower than 35mm or so would probably make the ride less fun. A rigid or hardtail MTB would be perfectly suitable, of course. 2021 THUNDERBOLTS ADVENTURE: EVENT RECAP The Thunderbolts Adventure is a 230km gravel adventure in the remote wilderness region of the Barrington Tops in New South Wales. We reached out to Su Pretto, the winner of the ITT, as well as the event organizers for a reflection on this year's event. Find BIKEPACKING SHOES ARCHIVES Giro Terraduro shoes have been a widely popular option for clipless bikepacking since their launch in 2013. A rugged design, grippy sole, and mid-range price tag are all reasons why Miles picked up a pair over two years ago and has continued wearing them ever since. FIVE DIFFERENT CAMP COOKING KITS Favorites included Aji Merken (a local smoked chili) in Chile, Chimmichuri in Argentina, and mystery masala mixes in India. Bland camp food is an unnecessary tragedy at the end of a day’s riding. Even in lean times, a pot of instant mashed potato flakes can still be acceptably tasty once suitably spiced and seasoned! EVEN VIKINGS WORE HELMETS (VIDEO) What is Bikepacking? Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a

mountain bike.

THE DRAWINGS OF JEREMIE LAMART Words and illustrations by Jeremie Lamart. I grew up in a region where outdoor culture is almost non-existent. I was a city kid but I also was raised among books in a family tainted by the arts. APIDURA'S REVIVE PROGRAM GIVES BIKE BAGS A SECOND LIFE Just announced, the new Revive program from Apidura offers repaired and refurbished bikepacking bags another opportunity to accompany riders on bikepacking adventures. Find details on the program and a link to their current inventory of Revive bags here FIRST RIDE WITH THE NEW WOLF TOOTH WT-1 CHAIN LUBE Just launched, the new Wolf Tooth WT-1 Chain Lube is designed to clean, protect, and last up to 5x longer than other lubes. Find our first impressions here HUNTER SMOOTH MOVE BARS NOW 780MM WIDE What is Bikepacking? Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a

mountain bike.

BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. VTXL - BIKEPACKING.COMBEST BIKEPACKING ROUTESBIKEPACKING TRAILSCOLORADO BIKEPACKING ROUTESBIKEPACKING USAWILD WEST BIKEPACKING ROUTEBEST BIKEPACKING TRAILS IN US Dirt roads across bucolic and pastoral landscapes.; A complete sample of the gorgeous Green Mountain state, one of the most rural of the eastern USA.; A dozen Vermont general stores, each with its own character, history, and essential place in the community.; In summer, plentiful streams and swimming holes for cooling off.; A section of the Revolutionary War Era Bailey Hazen Military Road. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists.

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

The Tour Divide is an opportunity to race the length of Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, from Banff to New Mexico, 2,745 miles of ultra-endurance bikepacking. CAIRNGORMS LOOP BIKEPACKING ROUTE A guide to the Cairngorms Loop, a bikepacking route that circumnavigates one of the most stunning areas in the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park. THE CROATAN GRAVEL VANISH Alone time in the forest spinning on long stretches of gravel.; Spotting wildlife such as owl, deer, wild turkey, lizards, and butterflies.; The Neusiok Trail, a 16 mile section of the route that weaves through hardwood forests swamps, and out to the beach at the Neuse River.; A couple of nice country roads around Newport.; Low-country vegetation such as spanish moss draped oak trees and bald

OREGON TIMBER TRAIL

The Oregon Timber Trail is a world-class bikepacking destination and North America’s premiere long-distance mountain bike route. Divided into four unique tiers, the Oregon Timber Trail is approachable by a wide variety of cyclists. NEW FOREST GRAVEL TASTER, UK The New Forest, proclaimed as such by William the Conqueror in 1079 – it was his personal hunting ground – is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in Southern England. As such, you can expect wandering ponies, donkeys, and horses to be as prevalent as fellow cyclists; at GREEN MOUNTAIN GRAVEL GROWLER, VERMONT Route designed and scouted by Joe Cruz & Logan Watts. The seed for the Green Mountain Gravel Growler was planted back in 2013 when a visit to Vermont revealed a burgeoning craft brewery scene that churned out 10 of the top 50 beers in the United States (Beer Advocate, 2013).

SHIMANO MT7 REVIEW

Shimano released the MT7 earlier this year as part of their Explorer series. The lineup is broken down into Road Touring / City Touring, Cross Mountain (that includes the burly XM9 and XM7 that we reviewed here), as well as Mountain Touring – home of the MT7. BIKEPACKING ROUTES, GEAR, INSPIRATION Bikepacking.com is the resource for the latest bikepacking routes, gear reviews, insight & adventure stories. Brought to you by folks addicted to campfire smoke, chromoly steel & getting lost. VTXL - BIKEPACKING.COMBEST BIKEPACKING ROUTESBIKEPACKING TRAILSCOLORADO BIKEPACKING ROUTESBIKEPACKING USAWILD WEST BIKEPACKING ROUTEBEST BIKEPACKING TRAILS IN US Dirt roads across bucolic and pastoral landscapes.; A complete sample of the gorgeous Green Mountain state, one of the most rural of the eastern USA.; A dozen Vermont general stores, each with its own character, history, and essential place in the community.; In summer, plentiful streams and swimming holes for cooling off.; A section of the Revolutionary War Era Bailey Hazen Military Road. TRANS AM BIKE RACE 2021 The race is gearing up for its 6th iteration of sending off self supported road racers on a 4300 mile journey across the US on a brisk 10 state adventure. Featured in the film Inspired to Ride, the Trans Am is part of a quickly growing subset of cyclists.

TOUR DIVIDE 2021

The Tour Divide is an opportunity to race the length of Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, from Banff to New Mexico, 2,745 miles of ultra-endurance bikepacking. CAIRNGORMS LOOP BIKEPACKING ROUTE A guide to the Cairngorms Loop, a bikepacking route that circumnavigates one of the most stunning areas in the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park. THE CROATAN GRAVEL VANISH Alone time in the forest spinning on long stretches of gravel.; Spotting wildlife such as owl, deer, wild turkey, lizards, and butterflies.; The Neusiok Trail, a 16 mile section of the route that weaves through hardwood forests swamps, and out to the beach at the Neuse River.; A couple of nice country roads around Newport.; Low-country vegetation such as spanish moss draped oak trees and bald

OREGON TIMBER TRAIL

The Oregon Timber Trail is a world-class bikepacking destination and North America’s premiere long-distance mountain bike route. Divided into four unique tiers, the Oregon Timber Trail is approachable by a wide variety of cyclists. NEW FOREST GRAVEL TASTER, UK The New Forest, proclaimed as such by William the Conqueror in 1079 – it was his personal hunting ground – is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in Southern England. As such, you can expect wandering ponies, donkeys, and horses to be as prevalent as fellow cyclists; at GREEN MOUNTAIN GRAVEL GROWLER, VERMONT Route designed and scouted by Joe Cruz & Logan Watts. The seed for the Green Mountain Gravel Growler was planted back in 2013 when a visit to Vermont revealed a burgeoning craft brewery scene that churned out 10 of the top 50 beers in the United States (Beer Advocate, 2013).

SHIMANO MT7 REVIEW

Shimano released the MT7 earlier this year as part of their Explorer series. The lineup is broken down into Road Touring / City Touring, Cross Mountain (that includes the burly XM9 and XM7 that we reviewed here), as well as Mountain Touring – home of the MT7.

THE OREGON OUTBACK

When to go. The season for riding this route is generally spring through mid-summer and then again in late summer and into the fall.; Winter brings snow to the mountains and summer brings extreme heat.; The wind can be a real pain on this route, especially as you approach the Columbia River Gorge. Unfortunately, the wind only seems to die down as the temps rise into the 90’s. LAEL WILCOX IS THE 2021 UNBOUND GRAVEL XL WOMEN'S CHAMPION Photos by Adam Andres Pawlikiewicz Mesa (@adamonthego)With an astounding time of 26 hours, 55 minutes, and 24 seconds (26:55:24), Lael Wilcox (@laelwilcox) became the fastest woman to finish last weekend’s Garmin UNBOUND Gravel XL in the Flint Hills around Emporia, Kansas, standing atop the podium of the challenging 358-mile (576-kilometer) race for the second year in a row. BOMBTRACK HOUSE BLEND: THE WOODS CYCLERY 1 day ago · For Bombtrack’s second House Blend video, through which they’re shining some light on and sharing their appreciation for the core shops that stock their bikes, we head to the village of Lyndhurst, England, for an introduction to The Woods Cyclery (@thewoodscyclery).Known for its carefully considered and beautifully photographed builds, this video provides a short introduction to the

shop

THE COLORADO TRAIL

The Colorado Trail is one of the longest, more arduous, yet most rewarding bikepacking routes in the US. During a small window in the summer, the snow clears to unveil an epic high altitude through-ride on some of the best trails in the Rocky Mountains. THE DRAWINGS OF JEREMIE LAMART Words and illustrations by Jeremie Lamart. I grew up in a region where outdoor culture is almost non-existent. I was a city kid but I also was raised among books in a family tainted by the arts. BIKEPACKING ÎLE DE RÉ What is Bikepacking? Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a

mountain bike.

PEDAL FOR POW (VIDEO) Pedal for POW is a new 10-minute video that follows friends Nicholas Wolken and James Niederberger on a bikepacking and splitboarding trip across Switzerland to raise climate awareness and encourage Swiss people to vote Yes on the upcoming CO2 Act. Watch the video and learn

more here

KONA HEI HEI REVIEW: FASTPACKER EXTRAORDINAIRE The Kona Hei Hei is a short-travel full-suspension mountain bike on a mission to blur the lines between cross-country and trail bike. Its modern geometry and cavernous main triangle had us wondering how it would perform as a loaded bikepacking rig, and after four months of testing, we’re ready to share our findings. Find our detailed review of the Kona Hei Hei CR / DL here LIMITED EDITION COLOURS FROM OMBRAZ For the first time ever, Ombraz has launched limited-edition colorways in their popular Dolomite, Leggero, and Classics styles. With just 300 pairs available in each style, once these armless wonders are gone they’re gone for good. YOUR STORIES ARCHIVES What is Bikepacking? Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of

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WHAT IS BIKEPACKING? Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. Click the link below to find out how to start. Start Here

HOW TO BIKEPACK.

Broadly speaking, there are three bikepacking genres to choose from – Multi-day Mountain Biking, Ultralight Race & Gravel, and Expedition & Dirt Touring. Click the link below to learn about each.

Learn More

WHERE TO GO.

As important as it is to have a reliable bike and pack as light as you can, choosing the right route is perhaps the key to your enjoyment. Visit this section to learn how to choose a route, and some insight into navigation. Learn More

WHEN & HOW LONG?

The average bikepacking trip should be based around riding between 25-75 miles (40-120 km) per day, depending on the weight of your load, the difficulty of the terrain ... Learn More

THE ROUTES MAP

We have ~100 routes on our worldwide bikepacking routes map. Cick the link to see them plotted or select from the links to the right to filter. View The Map

CLASSIC ROUTES

There are some routes that are made classic by their sheer perfection, and others by races. View The Classics

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The Bikepacking Journal is our printed collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Find details here alongside a growing collection of web exclusive features... Have one to share? View All Features The fourth issue of The Bikepacking Journal hit mailboxes this spring. Take a peek inside here, along with details so you never miss another

issue again...

Originally published in The Bikepacking Journal 03, Ditibised is Alexandera Houchin’s extraordinary story of training for the Tour Divide, framed in four seasons… In this feature story, Ben Page offers a reminder of the value of getting out on shorter, simpler trips, instead of getting wrapped up in planning something big...

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GRANTS FOR BIPOC BIKEPACKERS BIKEPACKING COLLECTIVE ROUTES ACCESS FUND

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YOUR STORIES  LOCATIONGREENLAND

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BIKEPACKING BIKES

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YOUR STORIES  LOCATIONBRITISH COLUMBIA

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EVENT RECAPSS  LOCATIONARKANSAS ASHLEY CARELOCK'S 2020 ARKANSAS HIGH COUNTRY RACE

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INSPIRATION / YOUR STORIES  LOCATIONQUEBEC

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YOUR STORIES  LOCATIONTEXAS KIDPACKING IN THE MAGICAL FOREST

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PLAN / BIKEPACKING GUIDES GUIDE TO LOW-WASTE BIKEPACKING

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INSPIRATION / YOUR STORIES  LOCATIONSCOTLAND AN TURAS MOR: CAPE WRATH TO GLASGOW

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ERGON'S LIMITED EDITION OIL SLICK CLAMPS

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AN ELEGY FOR THE TROLL, PUGSLEY, AND LHT...

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OUR NEWEST COLLECTIVE REWARD WINNERS

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INTRODUCING THE NEW ESKER CYCLES JAPHY

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