The Debrief: Custom Cruisers, New Firefly Day, and Aero Bikepacking Bags!?

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…

Topo Designs x Leatherman Collaboration

Topo Designs and Leatherman have teamed up on a limited edition Topo Skeletool & Sheath that features the same ultralight construction as the standard Skeletool but with a fun Topo Designs finish and custom zippered sheath to keep the tool safe. It weighs just 142 grams and offers seven different tools, including a bit driver with several bits. Topo Designs has already sold out, but units are still available at Leatherman and REI.

$99.95 / Made in USA / Details

Custom Landyachtz Cruiser

Our friends at Landyachtz Bikes in Vancouver, BC, just built up this interesting handmade steel cruiser that’s specifically designed to accommodate a Bueno front rack for errands, commuting, and getting around the city. The final build will feature Jones bars, a front dynamo light, Raceface Turbine SL rims, a GRX drivetrain, and XT brakes.

Made in Canada / Details

Enduro Bearings Launches Webshop

For the first time in its 25-year history, Enduro Bearings’ entire line of cycling products is now available directly to consumers via their all-new webshop. The new site allows you to access a wealth of technical information and browse all 1,200 unique items, including bearings, components, tools, small parts, and more, ranging from old-school to innovative.

Details

Aero Bikepacking Bags!?

Apidura, Ridley, and Hunt just unveiled a Ridley Kanzo Fast that they’re calling the “world’s fastest gravel bike,” and it’ll be put to the test in the Unbound Gravel race this weekend. It features Hunt’s 42 Limitless Gravel Disc wheels and a set of uniquely formed Apidura frame bags that, based on wind tunnel testing, they claim make the bike 16.66 watts faster at 40km/h.

Details

In Conversation

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

Sketching in Chile

In the Cordillera de Fuego film post from Montanus earlier this week, one commenter asked about the sketching tools they were using during the trip. Francesco later let us know that he carried a set of Sakura Pigma Micron pens and Cascada Adventure Notebook (9 x 14cm) and we stored it and two fineliner pens in a Topeak Cycling Wallet (17×9.2×1.7 cm / 6.7”x3.6”x0.6”). “It worked perfectly since is waterproof and thanks to inner pockets you can keep credit cards, currency, coins and keys dry and safe,” added Francesco. For those interested in sketching from the saddle, also check out the Pocket Art Toolkit we posted about a while back.

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Jambi’s Stunning New Firefly

We recently spotted our longtime friend Jambi’s new dream bike over on the Firefly flickr account, complete with White Industries cranks, Rene Herse bars and front rack, painted-to-match Igleheart fork, and Berthoud saddle. See the full gallery of the bike and build process over on flickr and find more from Jambi on Instagram @jambi.

AMtrain at Unbound

2017 Unbound Champion Alison Tetrick will set out on the Unbound 200 gravel race on Saturday with a new goal. Ali will be riding with a group of riders on a “Race the Sun” pace aiming to roll into Emporia before sunset to raise money for Outride and Coyote Collective – Emporia’s own NICA team. Read more about the AMTrain here.

Filmed by Bike 2022 Festival Launch Party

Filmed by Bike is celebrating two decades this year, and the Portland festival is happening next week. In anticipation, the organizers put together a short video with footage from past events that offers a peek at some of the films, the organizers, and the attendees.

Details

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Trans Balkan Race

The Trans Balkan Race is a 1,300-kilometer off-road unsupported bikepacking race across the Balkans. It’s an unforgettable journey across karstic landscapes and thick forests, providing a glimpse of the Ex-Yugoslavia. The route travels through 11 national parks, four countries, and is 82% off-road. There are 100 riders registered for the grand depart starting this morning, and you can follow along live here. Stay tuned for more coverage next week.

Trans Am Bike Race

Covering 10 states and 4,300 miles, the Trans Am Bike Race is a classic coast-to-coast race across the USA. It’s a cross-continent road race borrowing ethics and rules from events like Race Across America and Tour Divide. There are currently nearly 60 riders registered for the grand depart this Sunday. 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…

Cass Gilbert: The Cairngorms Loop

Maybe it’s hearing about the recent Highland Trail 550 race or the fact that I’m heading back to the UK soon (finally!), but for me, it’s Scotland that’s calling once more. I’d love to recreate my early bikepacking trips, like the time I connected trails through the Isles of Skye and Harris, or rode the classic Coast to Coast off-road route, sleeping in youth hostels along the way.

This summer, though, catching the sleeper train up to the Cairngorms National Park and riding one of the classic Cairngorms Loop could be the one. I know, I know. The weather can be hit and miss. And never underestimate the mighty midge. It’s all worth it because, in my opinion, the natural trails in in the Scottish highlands are second to none, and when the sun shines through and dapples the hillsides, it really is the bikepacking equivalent of a celestial experience…

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