Nick McIntyre takes us on a mosey through Ireland’s southernmost county on some choice cuts from the Golden Age of 26-inch MTBs. Sharing company with a small group of friends, Nick writes about rolling past stashed-off coves, winding back roads, and an unexpected day making petty bets at the Ballabuidhe Horse Fair after one of the wettest Irish summers on record. It was a given that there would be some downpours to deal with along the way, but these only made the odd break in the clouds all the sweeter. Read on for Nick’s retelling of bike touring in Cork and don’t miss his 35 mm gallery.
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Radar
Testing Grounds: An Instant Coffee Round Up
When it comes to creature comforts, it’s hard to skimp on coffee, especially with so many instant coffee offerings popping up. While we love to savor freshly ground beans and an Aeropress on a bike tour, in the interest of space and weight savings, it’s hard to beat a solid instant brew.
We asked some of our editors–Hailey, Spencer, Josh, and John–to bring some of their favs on a recent Radavist Retreat in Tempe, Arizona and after a morning ride, we sampled them. After our tasting party, we have some thoughts to share with y’all. Check out a quick instant coffee roundup below!
Reportage
Mental Detours Part Two: The Italy Divide to Rome and a Dolomites Mini-Tour
In part two of her Reportage from bike touring in Italy, Hailey Moore writes about arriving in Rome and feeling the weight of history in the Eternal City. She and Anton Krupicka also tack on a three-day multi-sport tour in the Dolomite mountains.
Reportage
A Bikepacking Traverse Connecting the Highest Peaks of the Iberian Peninsula
During a month-long tour, Sònia Colomo and Eloi Miquel trace singletrack and rough roads en route to summiting the highest peaks in the Iberian Peninsula. Come along for the ride through the backcountry of Spain!
Reportage
Hooked on a Feeling: How I Prepped for Atlas Mountain Race
Mel Webb is an ultra-distance bikepack racer and host of Detours: An Ultra Cycling and Adventure Podcast. She’s lined up at the start of events like the Silk Road Mountain Race, the Hellenic Mountain Race and the Alberta Rockies 700.
In just over a week she’ll be racing the 2024 Atlas Mountain Race and will be putting her body and setup through their paces in one of the world’s toughest, and most beautiful, ultra-endurance events.
Standing at 5’2, she’s no stranger to the game of tetris that is packing a small bike. Come along as Mel takes us through the evolution of her ultra race kit with photos from Morgan Taylor.
Reportage
Rogue Panda Check-In and Tall Bike Check
Even as the custom and production bag maker community has continued burgeoning over the past few years, one name has remained an innovator in the space: Rogue Panda. When John was in Flagstaff, Arizona, last October, he swung by the shop for a quick peek and spent some time documenting one bike that stood out among the rest!
Reportage
Yosemite of Southern Arizona: Two Nights Around the Chiricahua Mountains
The often overlooked Chiricahua Mountains sit between Las Cruces and Tucson. Sitting on the edges of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, the range boasts incredible scenery and biodiversity. Spencer and some buds spent a long weekend bike camping around the Chiricahua mountains. Check out one of the most underrated areas in Southern Arizona and all it has to offer.
Radar
Ortlieb’s Bike Bags Get a Dark Sand Makeover
Ortlieb, makers of waterproof bags for bike touring, just announced a new color for its entire bike bag lineup called Dark Sand.
Radar
VIDEO: Omni Tiera Dogpacking How To – Mira’s Basket Setup
We all love videos of trail dogs running alongside their best friend while they ride singletrack but what about taking your best friend on a bike tour? Omni Tiera is a YouTube channel that keeps getting served to us (thanks, algorithm!) and since John documented Pablo while he was in Madrid with Blackburn all those years ago, dog touring has been something we’re keen on seeing more of. Part of getting more dogs out on tours is sharing the wealth of knowledge you learn from experience.
As such, we’re stoked to share some of those tips here. In this video, Omni Tiera discusses the dog basket setup.
Reportage
Emil Carr-Ross Reflects on Being the Only Woman to Finish the 2023 l’Esperit de Girona
In September, Emil Carr-Ross became the first and only woman to finish the second edition of L’Esperit de Girona, the solo unsupported off-road bikepacking event held in Catalonia. She completed the 800km course in 8 days, 11 hours and 10 minutes. It was her first-ever ultra-distance event. Carr-Ross is also one of the few trans athletes competing in ultra-cycling. A few weeks after the event, she talked through her ride, her work for a refugee cycling charity in Glasgow, and her experiences as a trans athlete in the sport. Read all about it below…
Reportage
Making Packs in the USA: Reflections from the Cedaero Workshop
Five years ago, we profiled the workshop of Cedaero, and today, we’re offering up something special to coincide with Hailey’s Fork Lift Pack review. Straight from the horse’s mouth. Read on as Karl from Cedaero muses on producing bags in the USA and why they continue to do so in an era of constant outsourcing.
Reportage
(Not) Another CDT Report: Bailey Newbrey Reflects on the Northern New Mexico CDT
After a serious hand injury forces him off the bike, Bailey Newbrey is forced to confront his reliance on movement for his wellbeing. In this reflective essay on finding running that culminates in a 100-mile fastpack on the Continental Divide Trail in northern New Mexico, Bailey also examines why physical movement feels so vital as a means to combat the plagues of modernity…
Reportage
Manga D’Auteur: The Witches Cycle Chapter 1 and Tony Concrete on the Series
The Witches Cycle is French artist Tony Concrete‘s latest creation, a bikepacking-themed manga that follows the lives of two witches, Vera and Mary.
Set in a territory on the border of France and Germany under a fictionalized administration, the two witches have taken an oath to use their powers to protect the natural world from the encroachment of concrete, using bikes instead of broomsticks, while also confronting the real-world dilemmas of money, friendship, and social-political issues.
We’re beyond thrilled to announce that The Radavist will be sharing all installments from The Witches Cycle, starting today with Chapter 1. Find the first issue by scrolling through the gallery, and read on below for some background on the series from the creator.
Radar
MSR’s New Hubba Hubba Bikepacking 1 or 2-Person Tents
When it comes to toting a tent around on a bike tour, the one thing that often ends up interfering with mounting the tent between your handlebars are the tent poles. Numerous brands have developed shorter poles that now fit between the hoods on gravel bikes with the latest being MSR, who just announced the Hubba Hubba 1 or 2-person tent…
Reportage
Pedaling in Páramos: A Ride Along Colombia’s “Oh Boyacá!” Route
When Ryan Wilson made his first trip to Colombia in 2022, there was one region of the country that was high on his list to ride, but after getting distracted by the abundant opportunities for exploration, he somehow found his visa days dwindling. Naturally, when he was able to return for a lengthier trip the following year, heading to Boyacá—birthplace of Colombian road cycling legends like Nairo Quintana—was a top priority…
Radar
Watch The Divide: Lachlan Morton Rides the Tour Divide
This summer, Lachlan Morton set out on an Individual Time Trial (ITT) on the Tour Divide. He reached the finish in Antelope Wells in 12 days 12 hours and 21 minutes, but due to the presence of a media crew his time is not officially recognized. Watch the film, The Divide, to follow his 2,671-mile journey.
Radar
A First Look at Sim Works’ New Doppo Locust Touring Bike and SimLoaders Bags
We got our first look at the made in Portland, Oregon Sim Works SimLoaders bags during our Chris King Open House Reportage this year and today, the Japanese brand announced the full lineup, coinciding with a completely redesigned Doppo touring bike, now dubbed the Locust and with either 27.5×2.8″ or 29×2.4″ tire clearance!
We first showcased the Doppo when John did a bike tour around Mt. Fuji with the Circles crew back in 2016, so it’s exciting to see the newest permutation of this line. Read on for a complete look at the SimLoaders Bags and the new Doppo Locust below!
Reportage
Hailey’s Favorite Products of 2023
As 2023 comes to a close, Hailey Moore shares the gear that she turned to again and again this year. Read on for the products that have become indispensable in her bike-touring setup, a couple of apparel recommendations, an off-the-bike surprise, and her 2023 Ride Playlist.