Pedaling Nowhere

Hats off to Michelle Roth, the first woman to complete the 2026 Arkansas High Country Race and the fourth-place finisher overall! Beyond taking the women’s win, Michelle also set a new FKT for the singletrack variation of the challenging 1,020-mile route across the Natural State. Learn more here…

This morning’s Weekend Snapshot features a calming mix of scenes from rides across California, Ontario, and Vermont. Peek at what a few fellow readers have been up to lately, and participate in this longtime Monday morning series by sharing a shot from one of your rides here…

In racing, despite extensive training and the best-laid plans, some things are simply beyond our control. Wyatt Spalding’s wrap-up of the 2026 Arizona Trail Race highlights how this year’s racers battled challenging conditions and uncertainty amid heavy rains that made progress painfully slow. Read on for a reflective final piece on adaptation and appreciation, paired with a dramatic selection of photos…

A week in, the 2026 Arkansas High Country Race continues to deliver exciting stories from the field. With the men’s podium set, Michelle Roth closing in on a potential women’s FKT, and riders battling relentless heat and rugged terrain across the Ozarks and Ouachitas, plenty of racing remains. Catch up on the latest in this home-cooked update from Arkansas…

Massive congratulations to Alex Schultz, who finished the 2026 Arizona Trail Race last night in 8 days, 14 hours, and 16 minutes, marking his third first-place finish at the event. Wyatt Spalding was at the finish in Flagstaff to capture it all…

Facing an uncertain future, we’re calling on all of our readers to help us preserve this unparalleled resource and chart a sustainable path ahead. If you’re a regular visitor, please consider joining the Bikepacking Collective to support our work as a member today. Find an important update and learn about the value we offer our backers for as little as $3.25 per month here…

German brand Tout Terrain is shaking things up with today’s announcement of its debut drailleur-based 29er, the Catalina, which is also its first model offered as a standalone frame kit. Learn more about the new Pinion-less Tout Terrain Catalina steel hardtail here…

This week’s Debrief features IKEA-inspired saddle bags, chrome Allygn racks, Apidura’s new long top tube pack, a fresh Kona Unit X, an escape from car hell, a Munda Biddi FKT, Tumbleweed merch, two events to follow live, and more. Find it all here…

Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from Mer in Arkansas, who shares the 1996 DEAN Colonel she bought for $200 and thoughtfully rebuilt into a showstopper that balances budget-friendly and boutique bits. Meet Mer and see her DEAN here…

Neil has used tons of bags and gear-hauling systems over the years. From his days as a racer to his recent exploration of modern design, he has bins full of bags and racks that show how carrying stuff has changed since he started bikepacking. In his latest video, he digs through his boxes of bags and explains what worked, what didn’t, and why. Watch the full video below…

Drawing on data from its earlier steel and titanium hardtails, Spot Bikes has released a new Rocker Carbon hardtail. Designed to feel like a metal bike without the weight penalty, the Rocker packs a series of features that make it an intriguing option in 2026…

Yesterday, we gave Bikepacking Collective members first dibs on our latest fall merchandise drop, featuring fresh stickers, restocked tees and bottles, and returning favorites like maps and ATB sticker sheets. A few items have already been snapped up, but there’s still plenty left, and we’re now opening the shop to everyone. Browse the collection here…