The Radavist

In the face of record heat, one city’s mountain bikers go fully nocturnal. The summer of 2023 was the hottest on record for Phoenix, Arizona, with a daily average temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit for all of June, July and August and a total of 55 days with highs of at least 110 degrees.

In such conditions, getting out on the trails isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be downright deadly. Mountain bikers, however, tend to be a foolishly tenacious crowd. Faced with such searing conditions, many local riders have taken a cue from the wildlife and gone fully nocturnal to escape the heat.

“Down here, it’s the only time that’s safe and tolerable to ride,” says Arizona rider Kurt Refsnider. “You can only spend so much time by the pool, and not everyone has a pool.”

In Northern California, climate change and 150 years of forest mismanagement have led to some of the most catastrophic wildfires in the state’s history—including the Dixie Fire, which in 2021 devastated the Lost Sierra’s already struggling communities. In the face of that destruction, one group turned to trails for hope and to the past for a better future.

Support the Sierra Buttes Trails Stewardship.

Summer means something different for mountain bikers in Los Angeles. Unless you’re in Malibu, it’s not a great time of year to ride. Travis is not in Malibu, but he’s got ten products that will make the season more palatable.

Phelps on the Fly took off to Patagonia for an epic nine-day trip of bike touring to fly fish. Talk about a dream trip! Watch the hour long video here.

You might have noticed that a lot of things seem to suck right now… The Shitthropocene is a mock anthropological view of humanity’s consumption habits, turning a satirical (yet brutally honest) eye on how everything is turning to shit and why the impulse towards more might destroy us all.

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

72 Hours in Patagonia, Arizona is the latest project from The Coyote Collective in collaboration with Ventum Racing.

“If you’ve stepped into gravel cycling lately, chances are you’ve heard of “Patagonia.” No, not that Patagonia. This small Arizona town, nestled 18 miles north of the US-Mexico border boasts some of the country’s best gravel roads, breakfast burritos, and community gathering spaces.”

Next week, we’ll be featuring a full photo gallery and project backstory from the Coyote/Ventum team, so stay tuned!

The latest from Patagonia resonates with the current administration’s mission to auction off public lands to the highest bidder. It’s a long one but well worth the watch. Here’s the synopsis:

“Despite support from voters across the political spectrum, our public lands face unprecedented threats from extractive industries and the politicians in their pockets. Part love letter, part political exposé, Public Trust investigates how we arrived at this precarious moment through three heated conflicts—a national monument in the Utah desert, a mine in the Boundary Waters and oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—and makes a case for their continued protection.”

Take action to protect our public lands. Text DEFEND to 71333.

Patagonia tackles a big discussion about outdoor recreation and indigenous people. It’s a great sign that a big brand like this is aiding in the conversation, so take a few minutes (9 is all you need) and give this one a read!

“Outdoor recreation can be a lifeline for rural economies, but the industry has also benefited from the erasure of Indigenous peoples from their lands.”

Patagonia: The Myth of the Great Bike Savior

The latest from Patagonia is not to be missed!

“A film about inclusion, identity, and hand-drawn heroes. If you can’t find a hero, create your own; for mountain biker, skier and artist Brooklyn Bell, that hand-drawn hero was a comic character named Ruby J. Using Ruby as a role model, Brooklyn set out to “live like her, breathe like her, be unapologetically black like her,” finding her own identity in a mix of dirt, snow, art and inclusion.“

Freehub Magazine and Patagonia pulled together an exceptional project showcasing the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship‘s efforts over the years to pull the town of Downieville up from the dust to a pure golden mountain bike destination.