Friday Debrief: Bear Necessities, Dream Bike Giveaway, Gravel Growling, and More

We started “The Debrief” on our YouTube channel last year as a way of highlighting the week’s news and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. To take this a step further, we’re posting a weekly Debrief here on the site to highlight all of those things and more, including upcoming events and interesting things our readers shared in the comments. Check out this week’s findings below.

Bits & Bobs

New products that are worth highlighting but didn’t make the Dispatch…

Ergon GXR Grips

Ergon just introduced their new lightweight, slide-on GXR Grips, which weigh just 90 grams (size small) with bar-end plugs and feature their ultra-dampening AirCell Rubber. They’re available in 32mm or 34mm diameter and are entirely designed, sourced, and made in Germany.

$24.95 / Made in Germany / Details

VeloColour Day Runner Basket Bag

The VéloColour Day Runner straps directly to your favourite rack or basket via magnetic Fidlock push snaps, plus a rear velcro strap for extra stability. The front-loading main zippered compartment opens wide for easy access, and there are four exterior pockets (two magnetic closure, one zippered, and one without a closure) for smaller items. The top strap is adjustable and can be used as a shoulder strap or handle, the bottom of the bag is padded, and all the hardware is stainless steel. The Day Runner is constructed from Econyl regenerated nylon (post consumer and ocean plastics), X-Pac, repurposed Cordura and nylon, repurposed sailcloth, and they use waterproof YKK zippers.

$245 CAD / Made in Canada / Details

Rawland Rando Racks

After a good amount of radio silence, the small team at Rawland Cycles just announced that their Rando Rack is slated to restock this fall. The Rando Rack is now in its fourth and fifth iteration and has become a favourite of Miles’ as a lightweight bag support or minimal platform for baskets and other gear. They are expected to sell out fast once available, so make sure to head over to RawlandCycles.com to add your email in to be notified.

Zpacks 1g Tick Remover and Ultralight Trowel

The new Zpacks Tick Remover is about the size of a quarter, weighs just 1 gram, and is great for humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. The opening features angled edges that help with leverage and move ticks forward, detaching the pest without squishing it. Zpacks also announced a new Ultralight Trowel that weighs just 23g and looks perfect for digging cat holes.

$5.99 and $19.95 / Tick Remover and Trowel

A Custom Frame Bag from Atwater Atelier

This custom frame bag from Atwater Atelier in Quebec was designed to allow each tool to be strapped into place so nothing rattles during the ride. It was crafted around a handbuilt frame by Zachary Boivin. The frame bag features a two-tone design with a flap-top system that can be harnessed to withstand the strongest of winds. The heavier items are strapped down to the internal HDPE plastic insert, which is bolted to the frame itself. Learn more about their custom frame bag program here.

In Conversation

Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…

Ursus Bikepacks: The Bear Necessities

Back in December, Lucas was sitting at the airport in London doing some work while waiting for a connecting flight when the person sitting next to him mentioned he’d noticed BIKEPACKING.com on his screen. He introduced himself as Danny, and it turns out he’s a regular reader of the site who happens to be the owner of Ursus Bikepacks (@ursus_bikepacks), a handmade bikepacking bag brand based out of Grenoble, France. He’s making a wide range of universal and custom bags with several unique fabrics, and you can check out the full line over at UrsusBikepacks.com (the site is in French, but Danny is originally from California and can also answer any questions in English). Great meeting you, Danny!

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Mark Hudson Fundraiser

We’ve just gotten word that our friend Mark Hudson, the archivist of the incredible and inspiring Rough-Stuff Fellowship (who we interviewed in the second issue of The Bikepacking Journal), recently suffered an injury that will keep him out of work for an extended period. He could use a bit of help in the meantime, and there’s a GoFundMe set up to help give him a hand. If you’re able to chip in a small sum to support Mark, you can do so here.

FKD: Fastest Known Dog

In their latest video, Pearl Izumi follows Sir Willie the Wiener during the final build-up to his latest Fastest Known Dog (FKD) Strava segment attempt. “See his cutting edge approach to training, recovery, and equipment, plus the unique relationship he’s built with his training partner, former Pro Tour racer and 2022 Belgian Waffle Ride Champ, Alexey Vermeulen.”

2022 Dream Bike Giveaway from Redshift Sports

Back for another year, Redshift has teamed up with a number of brands to give away a dreamy gravel rig. The 2022 bike is a Rodeo Labs Trail Donkey 3.1 outfitted with parts from Wolf Tooth Components, Redshift, and HED. Plus, it comes with $750 gift cards for GU and Muc Off. Entry is free and the giveaway is open through June 6. Get signed up over at RedshiftSports.com.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Trans Virginia

The TransVirginia Bike Route is a 550-mile mostly unpaved backcountry cycling route that traverses the state of Virginia from Washington, DC, to Damascus. The 2022 Grand Depart of individual time trials (ITTs) of the Trans Virginia route will be held May 21, 2022, at 6 a.m. from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Follow along live here.

Cross-Washington (WXA)

The Cross-Washington Mountain Bike Route heads east from the Pacific Ocean through rainforests and deserts by way of singletrack and gravel roads. The route is 700 miles long, and from what we’ve heard, there are likely going to be some snowy sections up high and potential detours for riders to deal with. The grand depart is this Sunday at 7 a.m. and you can follow along live here.

Wish We Were Here

Shedding a little light on a route one of us is dreaming about riding at the moment…

Slim Wonder (@slimwonder): Appalachian Gravel Growler

I’ve been hunched over the laptop for weeks now, consumed with wrapping up a project that I’ve invested a great chunk of myself in, and now it’s finished. After you’ve birthed your vision and put it out into the world, you know what you really want? Yeah, me too. A beer. Or two. And three or four nights in the mountains on the Appalachian Gravel Growler. With majestic views. And a few friends to ride and camp with. Yeah, I’m looking at you, Leigh and Gerry. We should be here. Wish you were here.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a video recap from the Pinyons and Pines event by Josh Hicks…

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