Neil Beltchenko
Bikepacker
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What’s in a Gravel Bikepacking Gear List?
25 Oct 7 Neil Beltchenko / gear-listsIn our latest video, Neil walks through the gravel bikepacking gear list he used during a 640-mile ride across Minnesota, from Iowa to the Canadian border. Learn how he packed and what modifications he made to his bike for the ride here…
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Is a Gravel Bike a Good Bikepacking Bike?
53 Sep 30 Neil Beltchenko / videoAfter recently completing a multi-day trip on his gravel bike, Neil poses the question, “is a gravel bike a good bikepacking bike?” Watch our latest video here to learn some truths about gravel bikes and find out if the industry has it all wrong…
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56 mi. / 90 km2-3 daysElks Traverse
0 Sep 14 Neil Beltchenko USAThe Elks Traverse loop is a short but stout route in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. It's highlighted by high alpine passes and lakes, views of 13 and 14 thousand foot peaks, and extremely rewarding but challenging miles. -
The Ideal Tour Divide Drivetrain? Ultra-wide Range GRX 2×11
114 May 6 Neil Beltchenko / gearIn this video Neil walks us through his ultimate Tour Divide drivetrain, a 585%, ultra-wide range 2×11 using an 11-42 cassette with a Shimano GRX 815 or 810 derailleur. We tested three different cassette ranges and the limits of the GRX derailleurs in this how-to video…
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Shimano SPD Pedal Review: The Most Indestructible Pedal?
79 Apr 29 Neil Beltchenko / gearAre Shimano SPDs the most invincible pedals on the market? Watch this video for Neil’s full ultra-long-term review of Shimano XT and XTR pedals, plus find a comparison of Shimano M8100 vs M9100 and learn how to keep yours spinning smoothly for years…
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Fenix BC21R V2 Review (video)
17 Apr 22 Neil Beltchenko / accessoriesAfter many miles of testing during bikepacking races and events, Neil reviews the Fenix BC21R V2.0 light in our first video Short…
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64 mi. / 103 km2 daysTilton Traverse Overnighter
3 Dec 9 Neil Beltchenko USATilton Traverse is a high alpine riding experience showcasing the topography east of Crested Butte, Colorado. This mixed terrain route climbs into fields of wildflowers, up and down stunning mountain passes, through rich mining history, into dark timber forests, and well above treeline. -
2016 Interview with Tour Divide Legend Mike Hall
2 Jul 7 Neil Beltchenko / cultureAfter the Tour Divide dust has settled, legend, Mike Hall’s 2016 sub-14-day record still goes unchallenged. Here’s the 2016 post-race interview with Mike, refreshed and reposted from Bikepacker.com…
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36 Hours of Pain on the Tour Divide
2 Jun 13 Neil Beltchenko / plogDuring Neil Beltchenko’s rookie Tour Divide run in 2015, about 1,400 miles in, pain set in. Read the full story of Neil’s 36 Hours of Pain on the Tour Divide here…
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Inside Spokengear and Cedaero Bags
7 May 21 Neil Beltchenko / cultureBike shops and small bikepacking bag companies are what make this community thrive. That truth hit Neil and Lindsay as soon as they walked through the door at Spokengear and Cedaero Bags in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Here’s the full scoop from their visit…
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GDMBR Colorado: Things That Worked, Things That Didn’t
29 Sep 7 Neil Beltchenko / tipsNeil Beltchenko just rode the Colorado portion of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in less than two and a half days. In this reflection, he shares a few things that worked well during the ride, and others that didn’t…
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JPaks FramePak Review: Bolt-on Frame Bag
3 May 18 Neil Beltchenko / bikepacking-bagsNeil had a custom FramePak made by Colorado-based JPaks for his new Salsa Mukluk. Here’s his long-term review after two seasons of daily use, as well as runs along the Iditarod Invitational and other winter ultras….
