Neil Beltchenko

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…

Kicking off the new year, Neil takes a look back at some of 2023’s key moments in our corner of the cycling world, including the state of the bike industry, a recap of some popular events, the status of bikepacking routes, new BIKEPACKING.com features, and more. Plus, he makes some predictions for the year ahead. See it all in our latest video here…

After another big year of trying out newly released gear and using some old products, Neil shares 12 standouts from 2023 in our latest Editor’s Dozen video, including everything from his favorite apparel to cargo-carrying equipment, bike accessories, and more…

The innovative new Tailfin Fork Pack is a modular bag system featuring a low-profile aluminum mount that bolts to a fork or frame and a waterproof bag with an integrated X-Clamp system, allowing it to attach and detach quickly and securely. We had the chance to test the system for a few months before launch. Find our full review here…

How does the slackest bike we’ve ever ridden perform out on the trail? The answer might surprise you. Learn more in our review of the Pipedream Sirius S6, the brand’s latest hardtail that improves on the S5 we reviewed last year with the same unique geometry rolled into a beautiful titanium frame with loads of mounts…