Neil Beltchenko

Neil tested the Pivot Mach 4 SL over the last several months, taking it on a multitude of trail rides and a bikepacking trip along the Madrean Rugged Ramble in Arizona. Continue reading for his review with thoughts on how the brand’s latest full-suspension XC race bike performs while loaded, some interesting sizing findings, and how it handles his burly home trails around Gunnison, Colorado…

In this review, Neil looks at the all-new Rogue Panda Blue Ridge Handlebar Harness. After some rigorous testing on the Arizona Trail, he reports back on why it might just be the best handlebar cradle we’ve tested yet. Find Neil’s detailed review of the Arizona brand’s latest product here…

As we’ve seen over the last five or so years, e-bikes have gained a solid footing in the bike marketplace and attracted many new riders, but can they become a mode of transport for bikepacking trips? In our latest video, Neil delves into several details in hopes of finding an answer to that question…

Designed to nest seamlessly inside Tailfin’s AeroPack or AP20 Trunk Bag, the new Tailfin Packing Cubes maximize space and organize your gear with purposeful material selection and shaping. Neil had a chance to take a closer look ahead of today’s release for this review…

GPS device or phone for cycling? One of the most frequent comments we get when publishing a GPS unit review is, “Why not just use your phone?” In our latest video, Neil answers this by sharing some of the reasons he prefers a GPS head unit for all his bikepacking endeavors, and he also presents a few favorite options we use here at BIKEPACKING.com…

What makes the best rig for the Iditarod Trail Invitational? In our latest video, Neil unpacks the bikes of the 2024 Iditarod Trail, highlighting what most racers are using, uncovering some unexpected findings, and sharing a few thoughts about the race and gear. See it all here…

Almost 12 years ago, Neil went on his first bikepacking trip, an ambitious 10-day journey along the Colorado Trail. The trip was a success, but it wasn’t without many learning experiences. In his latest piece, Neil unpacks what he learned from the trip and discusses how he’d do it differently today…

The Old Man Mountain Axle Pack is unlike any cargo mount we’ve seen before. It provides a four-pack of mounts and can be attached to almost any fork without eyelets, including suspension forks. We had the chance to review a pair on a rough trip along the Arizona Trail for this full review…

The Atlas Mountain Race kicks off this evening local time, drawing over 200 racers for its fourth edition. Covering 800 miles from Marrakesh to Essaouira, Morocco, it has become a prominent self-supported ultra-endurance race globally, as evidenced by the 100+ submissions to our race rig roundup. In our latest video, Neil delves into the details of the rigs, unveiling some intriguing insights…

Eating is an essential part of bikepacking, and it should be enjoyable. However, it doesn’t always come easy. In our latest video, Neil shares nine ideas for bikepacking meals and snacks, such as simple one-pot recipes, quick homemade meals, easy additions to spruce up any meal, and more…

Feeling the winter blues? In this mini guide, Neil shares the most popular winter bikepacking destinations around the world, catering to those living in the Northern Hemisphere who are currently in the grip of winter’s chill. Find region and route suggestions from the sun-soaked landscapes of Florida to the majestic culture and riding in Thailand and more here…

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar is one of Garmin’s new head units with solar charging capabilities, and Neil has been using one for more than a year now. In this review, he shares all the details bikepackers need to know, including some surprising real-world battery run-time findings. Find it all here…