A Bikepacking primer

Bikepacking isn’t the slightest bit a novel or recent idea. Late nineteenth century black and white photographs of cyclists with bedrolls and framebags heading out into the countryside or on months long trips over international borders show that the bicycle has always been for freedom and exploration. If anything is new in the current enthusiasm for bikepacking, it’s firstly that specific and optimized gear is now widely available for it, and secondly and more importantly, there is a critical mass of the aesthetic sensibility to make it within the imaginative grasp of all of us.

Gear for Bikepacking Kyrgyzstan

I don’t care about the equipment, I just want it to be perfect.

Gear for Bikepacking Norway

For a month long bikepacking trip in Sweden and Norway in June/July I rode my main expedition wheel, a modified 2010 Surly Pugsley.

Return to Slovenia

Visited Slovenia a couple of years ago, fairytale mountain and castle peaks, the green of the near summer Alps. Enough to be persuaded of a return trip.

Surly ECR

Last week in Minnesota for Bunyan Velo’s Evening of Adventure, event partner Surly loaned me an ECR for getting around town and for some bikepacking.

Folding Bike Touring

In Greece I toured on my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro.

Winter Wheel

Old—classic? Well, someday—2007 Felt F1x reconfigured for all weather all road jaunts: 38mm Compass Barlow Pass Extralites (supple, fast, brilliant), SKS P45 fenders, Banjo Bros. small handlebar bag, Ultegra. Not least of all I like […]

Fat Bike South Africa

Riding the Pugsley in South Africa confirmed its bona fides as an unmatched roughest conditions touring bike. It remains my favorite expedition wheel.

Brilliant Revolights

Revolight makes an innovative set of lights for seeing and being seen while commuting.

Gear Briefs

These are some notes on pieces of gear I’ve used and liked over the last six months, including the Giro merino polo and ride jersey, Challenge Parigi-Roubaix clinchers, Clemenet LAS clinchers, Search and State S1J Jacket, and an alcohol stove.

Going light

Matt’s traveling light: a tarp, no sleeping mat or bag, just a sewn up the side fleecy sack and tiny fleece blanket he ended up buying somewhere ago anticipating Highland chill.

Cleaveland Everything Bags

Carrying water bottles on the fork is standard bikepacking practice, and is familiar from touring bikes going well back. (My friend Ed Carman’s beautiful mid-1970’s Eisentrout Limited has a fork that is probably not the original but […]