Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Debrief features a fork-mounted slingshot, new Ornot vests, the winning Smoke ‘n’ Fire bike, Lael’s new record, Granny Gear T-shirts, several events to follow, and much more. Find it all here…
The weekly Debrief highlights small but important bits of news, products, and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. These include upcoming events and interesting items 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…
Relentless Spur Shot Slingshot
Made in USA / $92 at Relentless
The Spur Shot is a unique slingshot designed to mount on your bike’s fork or frame using standard bottle bosses. Made in the USA from 5052 aluminum and anodized black, it’s built for campside target practice but also functions as a disc rotor truing tool and includes a 1/4″ hex bit pocket for on-the-go wrenching. It weighs just 135 grams and comes with thumb screw hardware and an elastic cord for secure mounting. You can use various types of ammo, but biodegradable clay shot is recommended. Pre-orders are open; expect delivery by mid-October.
Ornot Alpha Vests
Made in USA / $134-196 at Ornot
Ornot released two versatile cycling vests for the fall: the Alpha Riding Vest and the Alpha Daily Vest. Both are made in California with bluesign-approved materials and focused on warmth and sustainability. The Alpha Riding Vest features 120gsm Polartec Alpha insulation and a wind-blocking, moisture-wicking front panel designed to balance warmth and breathability for cold-weather rides. The Alpha Daily Vest adds extra insulation with 150gsm Polartec Alpha Merino, making it ideal for even colder temperatures and casual wear. With a looser fit and three zippered pockets, it’s made for both on- and off-bike activities. There are men’s and women’s sizes and colors available, and quantities are limited.
Donut Kill Me Leg Straps from Donut Sack Bike Bags
Made in USA / $6 at Donut Sack Bike Bags
Donut Sack Bike Bags in Columbus, Ohio, just restocked their popular reflective “Donut Kill Me” leg straps just in time for the equinox and the darkness of winter. They are $6 each, $5 shipping, and can be purchased using Venmo or cash at pick-up if you’re local.
Whitebark Gear Granny Gear T-Shirts
Made in USA / $30 at Whitebark Gear
Whitebark Gear in Bozeman, Montana, just released some “Granny Gear” T-shirts, and they’re selling out quickly! There are standard and cropped versions, both with fantastic granny artwork by Andrew Houser and printed locally at Ok Clothing Co. “This one is for the bike nerds out there that know that a steep climb in granny gear is sometimes just what the doctor ordered – or maybe not – but we’re doing it anyway. And props to you if you do it in a fun little outfit.”
Panorama Cycles SRAM T-Type Dropouts
Made in Taiwan / $35 CAD at Panorama
Panorama Cycles in Canada just announced they are now offering SRAM T-Type dropout inserts for the Taiga, Taiga EXP, Boreal and Torngat. The dropouts appear to bolt directly into their sliding dropouts, are made from aluminum, and allow the use of the latest T-Type Transmission drivetrains with a new rear axle.
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…
Not Bikepacking?
Whether it’s cameras, cargo bikes, conservation, coffee, or any number of other topics that loosely relate to bikepacking, we’re always eager to highlight some of our additional bike and non-bike interests on the site. What bikepacking-adjacent topics are you interested in reading more about? Let us know using the form below, and we’ll do our best to incorporate your ideas into upcoming posts!
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
Inside the Veneto Trail
Bombtrack put together this video documenting the 2024 Veneto Trail event. There were a whopping 415 registered participants this year, and apparently not many finished the challenging course.
The Winning Bike Setup for the Smoke ‘n’ Fire 2024
Last week, 30-year-old Jackson Long took first place at the 2024 Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 in Idaho, flying through the 400-mile route in just 1 day, 20 hours, and 40 minutes. Read our congrats post here, and then watch the rig check video above to learn more about what he brought along for the ride.
BIKEPACKING OVERNIGHT SULL’ASSIETTA
Andrea Romano’s latest video chronicles a two-day bikepacking trip along Italy’s Strada dell’Assietta in some exceptionally moody weather. You can watch the eight-minute video in Italian above, and note that you can turn on YouTube’s auto-translate feature to help follow the dialogue.
Joe Tonsager’s Gunny Loopy Loop Story
The Gunny Loopy Loop is a bikepacking event based out of beautiful Gunnison, Colorado. It’s rowdy, beautiful, and challenging. This year’s grand depart was two weeks ago, and Joe Tonsager of JPaks has had time to reflect on his experience riding 255 miles with over 36,000 feet of climbing. Head over to his website to read more.
Štěpán Stránský Wins 2024 Alps Divide
Ninety-six riders lined up on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Menton, France, last Saturday for the inaugural edition of the Alps Divide, a 1,000-kilometer bikepacking challenge from the sea to Lake Geneva in the Alps. Štěpán Stránský, aka Wolf Man, was first to finish in a time of 4 days, 20 hours, and 15 minutes, setting a high bar as the first fastest known time on the route. Keep an eye on the Alps Divide Instagram page for more update.
Sam Allen is Sole Finisher of the 2024 New Colo
This week, Sam Allen became the sole finisher of the full 2024 New Colo route. Sam rode the 980-mile route in 10 days, 12 hours, and 40 minutes, and according to the organizers, rode almost entirely alone. Congrats, Sam! Learn more about the route and event here.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
Roam Fest
Roam Fest is the world’s first and biggest femme and women’s mountain bike festival, and this year’s edition will take place from September 20th to 22nd in Fruita, Colorado. It will feature workshops, rides, an expo, group meals, yoga sessions, happy hours, and much more. Among many other brands, the crew from Salsa Cycles will be there with demo bikes and an introductory bikepacking workshop co-hosted by Radical Adventure Riders. You can learn more and find tickets here.
The High Plains Drifter
The High Plains Drifter is a 330-mile unsupported bikepacking adventure following a mix of gravel roads and doubletrack just north of Denver, Colorado. The third annual grand depart left from Greeley this morning at 7 a.m., and there are nearly 20 riders signed up for live tracking. Follow their progress live here.
TATR: The Adirondack Trail Ride
TATR is a 585+ mile, solo, self-supported bikepacking adventure through the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. It is a loop through a beautiful and diverse eastern wilderness on trail, pavement, and dirt road. This year’s grand depart took off at 8 a.m. this morning, and there are just over 20 riders registered for live tracking.
Utah Mixed Epic
The Utah Mixed Epic is an officially unofficial self-supported bikepacking pilgrimage across Utah. Riders may choose a short, long-weekend route (The Jello Salad) or a more immersive 750-mile-ish session (The Funeral Potato), both of which start and return participants to Salt Lake City. There are 15 riders currently registered for live tracking, and the grand depart kicks off at 10:00 am local time. Follow their progress here.
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a handful of scenes from the final segment of Lael Wilcox’s incredible record-setting ride around the world…
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