The Radavist

Ortlieb has been making bicycle touring bags for what seems like an eternity but over the past few years, they’ve begun to make bikepacking bags, always offering a few clever details and their legendary waterproof construction. Newest to this lineup is the Handlebar Pack QR, or quick-release. These bags lash to your handlebars in seconds, perfect for big, expedition rides, long gravel trips, and S24O alike.

Specs:
-$160 MSRP
-11-liter capacity, plus two small exterior mesh pockets
-IP64 – dustproof & waterproof to 1-meter for 30min
-Sustainably made in Germany

See more at Ortlieb.

While we understand the competitive nature of bikepacking races and fastest-known time attempts and records, we still love the chiller pace of bicycle touring and a different kind of FKT. Kody and company clearly set the record for the Funnest Known Time on the White Rim!

Check out a few stills from this video below.

It’s inundating to keep up with cycling’s technological advancements yet if one development has shifted the paradigm for drivetrains in the past few years, it’s SRAM’s AXS system. While the kit is a dreamy riding experience, the price can be daunting, and that alone is a major reason why many people haven’t had the chance to ride it. Yet, as with all cycling tech, it tends to trickle down like alluvium in the desert.

The new GX Eagle AXS rolled downhill and right into my lap recently, so I decided to put it on the Sklar touring bike because why not? Check out the unveiling below with some initial thoughts on the system and a component breakdown with pricing/availability…

Aren’t familiar with the Rough Stuff Fellowship? Well, here’s a good introduction. After a successful Vol. 1 book, featuring impressive feats of bicycle touring photos and stories, the RSF has launched a Vol. 2 on Kickstarter…

Bombtrack’s latest video showcases a father’s relationship with his daughter via bicycle touring.

Jones Bikes’ beloved H bars have really filled a niche in the bicycle touring community. You’ll see these bars all over the world, on all sorts of bikes. Recently, Jones updated the H Bar line to include a 35mm clamp model. This new bar has the same 45º sweep as the other Jones bars, comes in a 710mm width, and a 22.2mm standard grip area various accessories. If you’re worried about space to mount accessories, worry not, the entire front loop is 22.2mm diameter.

See the entire spec sheet at Jones.

In the summer of 2017, Lael Wilcox rode all of the major roads in Alaska, totaling 4,500 miles on mixed pavement and gravel. Lael is fourth-generation Alaskan. This is where she began endurance riding and her goal to get to know her home state.

In 2020, Lael went back to Alaska with her girlfriend Rue, a photojournalist, to ride together and document her project of riding all of the roads.

This scholarship is intended to enable another woman to design and ride her own 1,000 mile Alaskan adventure in the summer of 2021. This scholarship is open to a woman (including femme, trans and non-binary) of any age with any level of bicycle touring experience. We are looking for positive energy and a strong desire to experience the remote roads of Alaska and have some fun.

The recipient of the scholarship will receive a Specialized Diverge bicycle, Revelate Designs bikepacking bags, PEARL iZUMi apparel, a premium subscription to Komoot, Easton wheels, a Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM GPS, Big Agnes camping equipment, Rene Herse tires, a year subscription to Bicycle Quarterly, Trail Butter, and a $1,500 travel stipend provided by Easton.

Prepare a digital application based upon the questions on the following page and send to Lael Wilcox and the selection team at laelridesalaska@gmail.com no later than February 6, 2021. Provide your responses as the text of an email. The recipient of the scholarship will be announced April 5, 2021.

The scholarship selection team includes Lael Wilcox, previous scholarship recipients Kailey Kornhauser and Brooke Larsen, Abigale Wilson from PEARL iZUMi, Cari Carmean from The Radavist, and Natsuko Hirose from Bicycle Quarterly.

Head to LaelWilcox.com to apply for this scholarship!

If you’ve had the chance to use the Big Agnes Bikepacking tents, then you know how convenient they are. With the short tent poles and bike harness pack, these tents pack down to a manageable size for bicycle touring. New for 2021 comes the Copper Spur HV UL3 and the Tiger Wall UL2/UL3 Bikepack Solution Dye (pictured). Head to Big Agnes to check out the full Bikepacking line in detail.

I must say, the latest footwear drop from PEARL iZUMi really grabbed my attention. Over the years, the brand has made a big push to constantly update and redesign their classic silhouettes and one shoe that recently got a facelift is their X-Alp Launch SPD shoes. Now with a BOA closure system and this beautiful kiyote tan color, I had to try a pair out. After a few rides on our local MTB trails, I think I got the gist and can talk a bit about them, so read on below for a quick and succinct “This Just In” review…

In 2016, Salsa launched its EXP Cradle and bag design, offering up production bags previously only offered through smaller shops and manufacturers. This was a huge step in progressing the availability of bikepacking and bicycle touring accessories. Four years later, they just announced a series of updates, with a top-loading dry bag design and a refreshed side-loading dry bag, both of which utilize a new purge valve and lash attachments. Included in this update is a robust EXP front pouch with zippered access which can also act as a stand-alone bag for your gravel or MTB.

The whole system can convert just about any bike to a more capable tourer and these updates come at a time when we’re all pining for some time away from home on our bikes. Check out the full range at Salsa today and head to your local dealer for ordering.

The PTAP Designs Chonker is the perfect accessory for both your daily commute and your next bikepacking adventure. Influenced by classic English saddlebag design, the Chonker has added some new modern flourishes to work well for rack-less bicycle touring. The inspiration for its name comes from our resident chonky boi pupper Bodie.

Features include:
-Tapered side pockets that fold down flat when not in use
-Semi-rigid and removable HDPE liner to help keep shape whether empty or full
-Voile Nano straps and birch dowel for excellent mounting support
-Interior Dimensions 12”x7”x7”
-14L capacity
-Fully enclosed design for maximum water resistance

There are five total color options in case the floral is too flashy for your liking.

Additional Information:
When using rack-less as a front bag, please allow for a minimum of 9.5” clearance from the top of your handlebars to the tire. We recommend using a saddlebag support rack and a saddle that has saddle loops if you will be mounting it in the rear. The exterior of the bag measures roughly 14.5” wide (at its widest point) so make sure you have ample room if using drop bars

Retail is $170.00 with the pre-order live now, 8/24/2020 – 9/8/2020. Orders will be shipped mid to late September

While Restrap markets their new Adventure Musette as an accessory bag for bicycle touring, we can’t help but note that packable bags like this reduce paper and plastic bag use. When they’re this small, you can stuff them anywhere. These 70g bags are made in the UK, come in three colors (safety orange, olive drab, and black) and are available for ordering at Restrap for $37.49.

The Synchwire-constructed shoes Giro has been developing lately are really looking great. This construction is stitchless, vented, and reinforced. The Rincon is the latest in this new family of footwear. It’s a shoe for MTB riding, gravel riding, bicycle touring, and anything dirty. The Rincon features BOA closure and lots of rubber reinforcement areas for protection. Best of all, these high tech shoes only carry a $150 pricetag and yes, they come in black. See more at your local Giro dealer.

Our friends at Swift Industries are putting on a fall equinox campout this year in lieu of the normal summer solstice campout. This year, they’re offering dozens of overnighter routes, all over the globe and are like always, pairing this outing with lots of information and product. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, Swift Industries is encouraging everyone to take care when bicycle touring. Check out WTF BX for 8 guidelines to consider.

Head to Swift Industries to learn more!