Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Debrief features the Shim Reaper Stem, Allan’s Traka cargo bike, the new Hellbender hammock, four events to follow live, 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…
Dutchware Hellbender Hammock
Made in USA / $389+ at Dutchware Gear
The new Dutchware Hellbender Hammock is a lightweight, barebones hammock with an integrated underquilt and an asymmetrical shape for unparalleled comfort and simplicity. It’s available with three different temperature ratings (0°/20°/40°F), your choice of lay direction, and each hammock system is made to order with unique colors, fabrics, and accessory options.
Osprey Escapist Velocity Hydration Vests
Made in Vietnam / $100+ at Osprey
The new Osprey Escapist Velocity hydration packs are designed with a stable, bike-tailored fit for off-pavement pursuits, come in a 6L or 3L size, include a 1.5L water bladder, and feature several quick-access pockets and storage options for essential items and snacks.
Inside Line Equipment Frame Bag
Made in USA / $120 at Inside Line
Inside Line Equipment’s new frame bag is made in Berkeley, California, from US-milled materials, has a weatherproof construction, and is available in 12 colors. It has a small pocket for keys and a phone, dual-sided entry that keeps tools and food separate, and uses daisy chain webbing/adjustable velcro straps to work on different bikes.
Free 3D-Printable Tool Holders from Park Tool
FREE at Park Tool
Home mechanics and shop owners might be excited to see the nifty 3D-printable tool holders that Park Tool launched this week. The best part? The printing files are totally free! All are optimized for standard American pegboard (9/32″ holes spaced 1″ apart) but can be freely modified or adapted to fit the end user’s needs.
Jack’s Sacks Cargo Cage Sack
Made in USA / $65 at Jack’s Bikes Sacks
Jack’s Sacks in Richmond, Virginia, just released their take on a cargo cage bag called the Cargo Cage Sack. It has a roll-top opening, 5.5L+ capacity when rolled, a rigid body for structure whether it’s fully packed or not, and is available in a wide range of color combinations. The Cargo Cage Sack is available with or without two 24″ Voile straps and is compatible with pretty much any style of cargo cage.
Revelate Designs Adds Silicone Pads to all full Frame Bags
FREE at Revelate Designs
Revelate Designs recently announced they’ve upgraded to new, custom-molded silicone pads on all of their full frame bags, and they’ve also switched to silicone-coated hook and loop straps for some extra grip. Right now, they’re only available on new full frame bags (including the Hopper), but they also have plans to make them available for individual purchase in the future.
Send It Safely Shim Reaper Stems
Made in Taiwan / $114.20 at Send it Safely
Nick Vacca of Send it Safely had some beautiful steel stems designed by Cjell Monē of Monē Bikes (and made in Taiwan), and they are available now. The Shim Reaper Stems use a 22.2mm bar clamp, come in 70mm and 90mm lengths, and cost $114.20.
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site’s conversation section…
Beyond Bikepacking
There’s no shortage hobbies and activities that can be combined with bikepacking. When we shared the Prism Pocket Flyer kites yesterday, a commenter asked, “Is bike kiting going to be the next thing?” We’re not sure, but it has us wondering: what’s your favorite side activity to integrate into your rides? Do you have a favorite tool or accessory that makes it possible? Let us know in the conversation below!
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
What’s Left is Love (Trailer)
At this year’s Midsouth, what started as a joyful gathering of cyclists and community quickly turned into a scramble for safety as powerful winds ignited wildfires across the state. Amid the turmoil, one town came together in remarkable ways, and the stories that followed offer powerful insights for navigating a future increasingly defined by climate instability. The trailer is loaded with emotions, and we’re excited to see this documentary when it comes out later this month.
The Traka 2025 (560km): An Ultra Cycling Film
Nearly 130 riders finished the Traka 560 Adventure last month, with the fastest finishing in under 24 hours and others taking around three days. Josh Reid was somewhere in the middle, finishing in just 36 hours and 47 minutes, taking 54th place overall. He somehow managed to film the entire event and put together a captivating video that provides a glimpse at what riders faced during their rides.
Hudski Dualist Production
Hudski recently sent out an email update to folks who pre-ordered the new Dualist, which are expected to be delivered by mid-to-late June. In the email, they included some behind-the-scenes footage from the production process. Watch it and then learn about the pre-orders here.
Making history at the Tour Divide (Trailer)
After a second-place finish in 2023, Justinas Leveika returned the following year to set a new record on the 2,700-mile Tour Divide route with a time of 13 days, 2 hours, and 16 minutes (13:02:16). In an upcoming video series, Justinas will be diving into the details of what went wrong during his first attempt and how he fixed that in 2024. Watch the trailer, and stay tuned for the first episode.
The Garbage Bag Boys are in China
Sam and Luke, aka the Garbage Bag Boys, are currently taking on an around-the-world bikepacking trip from Vietnam to Spain. They just shared their latest post on the Curve Cycling blog, which includes updates from Vietnam and the iconic Ha Giang Loop in China. They are currently in Chengdu, getting their bikes ready before heading toward the Gobi Desert. Read more about their travels at CurveCycling.com.
Grouchin Houchin and No-Shoes are AZT addicts: BIKES BIKES BIKES! Podcast
Alexandra Houchin and Johnny Price were the latest guests on Cjell Moné’s BIKES BIKES BIKES! podcast, and it’s well worth a listen. In the episode, they talk about the latest Arizona Trail course, the Grand Canyon portage, and more AZT goodness.
Roam Media Core Applications Open
Now in its second year, Roam Media Core is a mentorship program meant to help femme photographers and filmmakers break into the outdoor industry. Applications are open until May 25th, and successful applicants will be chosen on June 10th. The main event will be held in Fruita, Colorado, from September 17th to 21st. Learn more here.
Zone Out.
Our pal and longtime contributor Joachim Rosenlund in Berlin shares some words of wisdom while pedaling a Bombtrack Cale through the woods in the brand’s latest short video. Watch it above.
Terry Barensten is Live Streaming While Bikepacking The C&O Canal
Cycling videographer Terry Barensten headed off on another tour, this time with Kyle from Outer Shell. Hitting the 150 miles of C&O Canal trail, the well-known YouTuber has been streaming his last few ventures to great effect. Using a small StarLink unit, Terry has been documenting the more remote sections of the Canal trail and bringing his 257,000 subscribers along for the ride. Prior trips included a full coastal journey from NYC to Florida and a cross country journey from NYC to Portland Oregon. They’re always a fun watch, and it’s interesting to see how Terry balances a relaxed journey with streaming.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
2025 Carso Trail
Overlooking the stunning Gulf of Trieste, on the border between Italy and Slovenia, the Carso Trail is an unsupported bikepacking adventure following a 345-kilometer route. Grand depart riders started earlier this morning, and you can follow their progress live here.
2025 Central MO Circuit
The Central MO Circuit is a 340-mile ultra-endurance race designed to let beginners dip their toe in ultra racing and experienced folks test their skills. There are three easy-to-use campsites, and no more than 60 miles between refuel stops. For those who want to test their limits, a single hard push is possible and will be very rewarding. The event has already started, and you can follow their progress live here.
Seven Serpents Quick Bite
Seven Serpents: Quick Bite! is the smoother and “shorter” 520-kilometer version of Seven Serpents. It’s aimed at riders who want a good warm-up for the season, with mostly smooth gravel and almost no hike-a-bike sections. This year’s race starts on Sunday, and there are nearly 200 riders registered for live tracking. Keep an eye on their progress here.
The Accursed Race
The Accursed Race is Lost Dot’s first fixed-route, no-fly, off-road race. It follows a 1,600-kilometer route along the roof of the Balkans, starting in Shkodër, Albania, then taking in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, before returning for the finishing stretch in Albania. The race starts on Tuesday, and there are several big names registered, including 2024 Tour Divide winner Justinas Leveikas. Follow along live here.
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, some photos of Allan Shaw’s titanium Omnium Cargo that he recently rode to the finish of the 2025 Traka 560 event in Spain. Allan finished just over 54 hours, taking 110th place overall.
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