Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
This week’s Debrief includes purple coyotes, a new Rocket Pooch, black denim jorts, remote medieval watchtowers along the Russian border, details about two upcoming bikepacking events you can follow live, and much more. Check it all out here…
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…
New Curve Rocket Pooch
The Curve Rocket Pooch is back in stock and got a few changes based on feedback from riders and real-life testing. According to Curve, they’ve further reinforced the contact points and fabric on the bag for a tighter fit to the titanium Rocket Cage. Not only that, it’s now available in a new color: Sage & Khaki. Find our initial review of the Rocket Pooch here and details below.
$153 / Made in Taiwan / Details
What Happened Purple and Coyote Combo
Our friends over at What Happened Outdoors in Slovenia have a nice color combo going on in these new bags. There are some complex pieces in there too, such as a two-piece frame bag with an L-shaped zipper opening for the Apidura bladder and fork bags compatible with the Manythings cage. Find more over at @whathappenedoutdoors.
Handup Spring Collection
Handup just released their new spring ’22 collection with loads of new gloves and this sweet new howling wolf jersey and matching fender. Pair that with their new black jorts and step back into your 90s hesher days. Find the full collection over at HandupGloves.com.
Engin Port Royal Crankset
Philadelphia-based Engin Cycles just released their new beautifully machined Port Royal Crankset. The cranks are machined in-house, are available in two spindle lengths for boost or non-boost setups, are compatible with SRAM 3-bolt chainrings, and have a 30mm spindle. Learn more at EnginCycles.com.
In Conversation
Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the conversation section…
Max on the Trans Dolomiti
A reader (massimiliano_pozzi) let us know that they made this video after riding the Trans Dolomiti route in Italy. It’s in Italian, and not subtitled, but it’s a nice reminder of how beautiful that zone is—and how much we’d love to ride that route. Find the route guide here.
Gear Makers in Ukraine
Reader Oli Lamm mentioned several bikepacking bag and gear makers in the conversation in the Cyclists for Ukraine Fundraiser. “Write them a positive message & offer help; make a bookmark in your browser and consider their products in the future; donate money to the fundraiser posted above by BIKEPACKING.com and share, share, share!” Here’s the list:
Around the Community
News from around the bikepacking world…
Landyachtz Bikes’ 100th Custom Frame
Our friends at Landyachtz Bikes in Vancouver, British Columbia, just unveiled their 100th custom frame, designed and welded in-house. The frame is for Landyachtz’s welder Kyle, which seems fitting for such a milestone. From what we can see, it looks like a fun, shreddy hardtail and is kitted out with a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain, Fox 36 fork, PNW Rainier dropper post, and an assortment of Race Face parts. It’s also sporting a prototype Reform MTB saddle that we’re interested to learn more about. Head over to their Instagram to see more.
Events Starting Soon
What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…
Hunt 1000 (2022)
Developed in 2016 by Dan Hunt, the Hunt 1000 is a bikepacking route that links two of Australia’s major cities, Canberra and Melbourne, and traverses some of Australia’s most beautiful high country in a tough but achievable seven days (suggested). Check out our Rigs Of the 2022 Hunt 1000 roundup and then follow along live here.
The Queen’s Ransom
The Queen’s Ransom is a 227-mile bikepacking route around the greater East Valley of metro Phoenix, Arizona. It weaves together many of the area’s popular singletrack trail systems, regional parks, and the Arizona National Scenic Trail amid stunning topography, rolling dirt roads, and challenging terrain. This year’s group ride starts this morning with three designated camp spots along the way. 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…
Logan Watts: Republic of Georgia
While it’s not the season to ride in the Republic of Georgia’s high Caucasus, these mountains have been on my mind this week. Watching the horrific situation unfold in Ukraine reminded me of this region, particularly the military checkpoints placed in remote outposts near the Russian border, serving as the first line of defense at the edge their small former-Soviet country. Furthermore, the medieval watchtowers that stand sentinel in the Upper Caucasus echo a similar intent, where villagers used them as signaling towers for defense against invaders. Check out the Caucasus Crossing route for more.
Weekly Social
Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a couple of graphical projects in solidarity for Ukraine…
— Bombtrack Bicycle Co (@Bombtrack17) March 2, 2022
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