Friday Debrief: ATB Prototypes, Vegan Bags, and Fresh X-Pac Colors

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…

Veloci Drinkup Bar

Taiwan-based Veloci Cycles just added a new riser bar to their line of handlebars called the Drinkup Bar. It’s made from 6061 Aluminum, has a 105mm rise, 7° upsweep, 15° backsweep, and comes in a 760mm width. It weighs 585g and is offered in Sand Silver or Sand Black.

Made in Taiwan / Details

Carradice’s New Animal-Friendly Bag Range

British bag maker Carradice just released a new range featuring upcycled and animal-friendly straps and patches. They repurposed retired firehose into durable straps and replaced all the natural leather components on some of their best-selling bags. You can now buy animal-friendly versions of their Zipped Roll Saddlebag, Barley Saddlebag, Camper Longflap, and Kendal Panniers.

£49-120 / Made in UK / Details

Outershell Floral Teal Custom Printed Fabric

California’s Outer Shell just added a lovely new Floral Teal fabric option for their entire line of bags. It’s made from their go-to 1000D Cordura fabric and printed using a process called dye sublimation that results in a long-lasting print that doesn’t fade over time.

Made in USA / Details

Chamois Butt’r Ultra Balm

Designed with long-distance and ultra-endurance riders in mind, the new Chamois Butt’r Ultra Balm is an anti-chafe balm made from natural oils, beeswax, and all-natural ingredients. The new formula is non-water-soluble, so it won’t wash off the skin with sweat and won’t soak into your chamois either. One application is said to last all day, allowing riders to ride farther and without the need to reapply.

$29.99 USD / Made in USA / Details

New X-Pac RX30 Colors

Released last year, Dimension-Polyant’s X-Pac RX30 is 100% climate neutral and contains 100% post-consumer recycled polyester fabric. Just like traditional X-Pac fabrics, it’s lightweight, durable, and 100% waterproof, making it a great material for bikepacking bags. They just expanded the RX30 lineup with a handful of new colours, including Cayenne, Evergreen, Ocean Blue, Alpenglow, and Bluebell. Our friends at JPaks in Colorado already have the new colours in stock and are ready to make your custom frame bag!

Made in USA / Details

Bubblegum Iridescent

The folks over at Ron’s Bikes just released an interesting new colour option for their Fabio’s Fanny hip pack/handlebar bag by placing a bright orange liner over a natural coloured waxed canvas. They’ve named it Bubblegum Iridescent, and we think it looks pretty cool.

$170 USD / Made in USA / Details

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

Do It For Hewitt Cycling Challenge

Scotti Lechuga has teamed up with Ride with GPS on a cycling challenge in support of 10-year-old Hewitt Sluyter’s fight with cancer. It’s open to anyone with a bike and is a challenge to ride as far as you can on June 21st, the summer solstice. Join the challenge here or make a donation directly to Luyter family’s GoFundMe to help cover their medical expenses.

Rob Britton’s BC Epic 1000 FKT Attempt

On June 14th, Rob Britton is heading out to set a new fastest known time on the BC Epic 1000 route between Merritt and Fernie, British Columbia. The current record, set by Tom Hainisch in 2019, is a staggeringly fast 2 days, 16 hours, and 45 mins. Rob started a GoFundMe for his ride, with all funds going to the WIRTH Counselling Fund, ensuring there is help for people who need it.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

2022 Tour Divide

The 2022 Tour Divide kicked off on this morning at 8 a.m local time. Hundreds of riders will race/ride the length of Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff to New Mexico, 2,590 miles of ultra-endurance bikepacking. Find our annual Rigs of the Tour Divide rig roundup and follow along live here.

The TransAtlantic Way

The 2022 TransAtlantic Way grand depart took off yesterday morning, following a 2,500-kilometer route between Derry and Cork, Ireland, via The Wild Atlantic Way. There are just over 60 riders participating, 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…

Miles Arbour: Searching for Cabins

This past weekend, Justin, Nathan, and I geared up with inadequate rain gear and left from home in search of the mysterious Dick Lodge. We eventually arrived, soaked to the bone and freezing cold, but soon had the wood stove burning and piping hot Cheetos flavoured Kraft Dinner in our bellies. It was the perfect last-minute adventure and a great way to explore an area new to us. I’m excited to seek out more cabins and shelters this summer—ideally in drier conditions!

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a couple of ATB prototypes that we’re looking forward to learn more about…

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