Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Johan Wahl
A Whale Away
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830 mi. / 1,336 km19 daysSAND: Segment 5 – Kaokoveld
15 Apr 9 Johan Wahl AfricaFor the grand finale of the SAND bikepacking route, the fifth segment ventures into the remote depths of Namibia's extremely wild and rugged north. It's a committing endeavor, taking on challenging terrain and braving profoundly isolated desertscapes. It’s steeped in beauty and offers the unique opportunity to immerse in some of the most pristine wilderness in Africa. -
745 mi. / 1,199 km15 daysSAND: Segment 4 – Namib
21 Feb 13 Johan Wahl AfricaSegment four of the SAND bikepacking route enters its second country, Namibia, and features the oldest desert on earth, the Namib. This segment is a mostly all-gravel affair, with close to 1,200 kilometers of exquisite gravel to enjoy as it traverses the southwestern parts of the Namib Desert from the Orange River to Swakopmund. It features breathtaking vistas, vibrant dune fields, abundant wildlife, and endless solitude... -
539 mi. / 867 km18 daysSAND: Segment 3 – Richtersveld
16 Dec 13 Johan Wahl AfricaThe third segment of the SAND bikepacking route continues the journey through South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, this time going beyond the road less traveled to discover the depths of the Richtersveld and the remote desert tracks that skirt the Orange River. It takes on some seriously burly terrain but rewards with breathtaking scenery and a truly one-of-a-kind desert experience... -
433 mi. / 697 km15 daysSAND: Segment 2 – Namaqualand
8 Oct 12 Johan Wahl AfricaThe second segment of the SAND bikepacking route traverses Namaqualand, the arid region in South Africa’s northwest. The area is renowned for its breathtaking springtime wildflowers but remains largely overlooked. This segment takes a deep dive to uncover some of its lesser-known gems and unique flora and fauna, following challenging but exciting dirt roads and tracks along the way... -
842 mi. / 1,355 km25 daysSAND: Segment 1 – Karoo
23 Sep 28 Johan Wahl AfricaThe first segment of the SAND bikepacking route takes riders on an immersive tour of South Africa's Western Cape province. It traverses remote countryside, with a focus on the mountainous periphery of the Karoo, the large semi-desert from which the segment gets its name. The route links some of the Cape's most iconic mountain passes and gravel roads, and it features a wealth of captivating sights ranging from the tranquil plains of the Tankwa to the rugged mountainscapes of the Cederberg... -
Bikepacking Iran: Beyond the Veil
29 Jul 10 Johan Wahl / plogWhile bikepacking across Iran last fall, Johan Wahl and his wife Jana peeled back some of the layers of misunderstanding that shroud the country, getting to know its people firsthand while navigating broader political complexities. Find their story finding connection and inspiration accompanied by a vibrant gallery of photos here…
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Armenia: Caught in the Middle
21 Mar 29 Johan Wahl / plogLast fall, Johan Wahl and his partner Jana were finishing a bikepacking trip across Armenia when clashes with neighboring Azerbaijan broke out, sending their ride into an emotional and logistical tailspin. Find their story of navigating the duality of having formed a strong connection with the Armenian people and knowing it wasn’t their place to be here…
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Georgia in High Contrast
26 Mar 1 Johan Wahl / plogContrasting his experiences of bikepacking back home in South Africa with a recent trip to the Republic of Georgia to ride our Caucasus Crossing route, this piece from Johan Wahl shares how a meaningful chance encounter helped him see the beauty in the unfamiliar. Read it here, paired with an enchanting gallery of images from both countries…
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Across Lesotho: Lessons from the Mountain Kingdom
17 Jun 25 Johan Wahl / plogWith next to no cycling experience, Johan Wahl and his wife Jana picked up a couple of bargain vintage bikes from their local classified ads and headed off on a three-week, 700-kilometer journey across Lesotho. Find their story of figuring things out as they rode along through the Mountain Kingdom…
