Neil Beltchenko
Associate Editor & YouTube Host
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We have nearly 500 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning 70+ countries.
Start at our sortable worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography.
The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the world—by locals, in their own backyards.
The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the world), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format.
Ever since Neil graduated college he has soaked in the mountain life. After riding bikes recreationally for a couple of seasons, he realized he was extremely motivated and began racing.
Neil drank the bikepacking Kool-Aid after completing the AZT 300 as his first bikepacking race in 2013. In 2014 his now-fiancé Lindsay and he launched Bikepacker. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a regularly updated online publication where they created a resource for adventure cycling. They realized how many awesome bike bag manufacturers, routes, and tips there are in this sub industry of cycling, and they wanted to create a lasting resource. Bikepacking.com absorbed Bikepacker in 2018 and Neil is now the host of our YouTube channel.
When he’s not in the saddle he loves to take photos of the beautiful landscapes the Crested Butte area has to offer. He also really enjoy sipping on a good IPA, watching his favorite team the Chicago White Sox, and hanging out with his lady Lindsay and their dog bowie. If you are ever in the Crested Butte area give them a buzz!
It’s Tour Divide time again, and for our 2024 Tour Divide Preview, we dive into all the details you need to know to get ready for some exciting dot-watching, including weather conditions, route changes, and much more. Plus, Neil chats with veteran Tour Divide riders Alexandera Houchin, Hannah Simon, and Josh Ibbett about key riders to watch. See it all here…
Launched just in time for the Tour Divide, the Revelate Designs Pitchfork is an aero bar harness system made for ultra-endurance racing. The Pitchfork mounts directly to your aero bars, providing carrying capacity for a six-liter dry bag, two useful pockets, and a bungee system for easy access to snacks and other essentials. Find our full Revelate Designs Pitchfork review here…
Just announced, the new Hammerhead Karoo is the brand’s third-generation head unit and the first since being acquired by SRAM. As you might expect, there are several new features to better integrate with SRAM components, along with a few other noteworthy upgrades and a fresh companion app. In our first-look review, Neil unpacks all the details and compares it to several other devices. See it here…
Whether or not bikepacking bags are truly “waterproof” is a contentious topic, especially with bag makers claiming their bags are waterproof when they’re clearly not. The Ortlieb Toptube Frame-Pack is a half-frame bag with welded seams and a unique waterproof zipper that may well be the only truly waterproof bag with a zipper. Find Neil’s Ortlieb Toptube Frame-Pack review here…
A well-designed tent can mean the difference between a comfortable night out under the stars and a frustrating experience. After using the SlingFin Portal 1 on a handful of trips over the last few months, Neil found it to be a cozy home away from home with a few unique features that set it apart from other one-person tents. Find his SlingFin Portal 1 Tent Review here…
Today, Kona Launched their latest bike, the Ouroboros. We were lucky enough to have one for a month or so beforehand, and Neil put it through its paces, pedaling it more than 300 miles around Colorado and Utah, riding it on gravel, singletrack, and an overnighter. In his video, he dives into Kona’s new drop-bar offering in detail. Find our Kona Ouroboros review here…
After teasing them last summer, CamelBak has officially released its full range of bikepacking bags. Neil had the chance to put them to the test over the last few months while bikepacking in Utah and Colorado. Find his full review of the Camelbak M.U.L.E. Bikepacking Bags here with insight into features he likes and what could be improved…
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…
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