Friday Debrief: Stayer OG, Live Laugh Lug, Titanium Cookware, 2024 Content Survey, and more

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…

Stayer OG Plus Pre-Orders Open

Made in UK / £2,200 at Stayer Cycles

The OG Plus is Stayer Cycles’ mix-and-match monstercross bike that can handle mountain bike drivetrains, road groupsets, 27.5″ or 29″ wheels, and big 2.4″ rubber. Plus, each frame is made to order in small batches, so you have the option for custom geo at no extra charge. The spring batch is expected to ship by May/June of this year.

Randi Jo Fab Pocket Sliders

Made in USA / $30 at Randi Jo Fab

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Randi Jo Fab recently dropped a fresh batch of Pocket Sliders. This time, they made two sizes: standard and small. They are super handy for keeping little things organized and can be used as a wallet, for a small note pad and drawing utensils, various tools or supplies, or whatever other small bits need organizing. The Pocket Sliders have a waxed canvas exterior, cotton lining, a simple snap closure with a large main pocket, and a smaller pocket up front for cash or cards.

Live Laugh Lug T-Shirt

Made in USA / $30 at Terrible Picnic

Our friend Emmy, who designs, creates, and prints under the name Terrible Picnic, just launched some awesome new T-shirts that are too good not to share. The new Live Laugh Lug T-shirt is designed and printed by Emmy. She used various earth pigments to color the ink, and they are printed on Bella Canvas shirts. There are two color options: vintage white or dusty blue, and 10% of all funds (including everything else on the webstore) will be donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

Chris King Hubs Microspline Conversion

Made in USA / $250 at Chris King

Chris King just introduced a Microspline conversion kit for their R45D hubs, which means you can now fit Shimano mountain cassettes for folks interested in running 12-speed GRX. The conversion kit is available now in black or silver through the Chris King website or authorized retail partners and is compatible with all centerlock R45D versions and second generation six-bolt hubs.

New MSR Titan Silverware/Cookware

Made in TBD / $15-70 at MSR

Following the launch of the new Hubba Hubba Bikepacker tents yesterday, MSR will be launching their updated lineup of titanium silverware and cookware next week. Tweaks to their 1400 and 900ml Titan Kettles, Spork, Long Spoon, and new Double Wall Insulated Mug can be found on their website at the link above.

In Conversation

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

What Do You Want to see in 2024?

Happy new year! As we make our plan for fresh routes, reviews, stories, field trips, art, tutorials, gear roundups, event coverage, and more to share throughout 2024, we’d love to know what you’re hoping to see on the site in the months ahead. If you have any requests or suggestions, please send them our way using the anonymous form below, and we’ll do our best to fit them into our plan.

Around the Community

News from around the bikepacking world…

10 Reasons Why Bikepacking is Great

As part of Dean Anderson’s annual Elk Island Park winter bikepacking adventure, which happened to coincide with our Good Night 2023 Campout, he reflected on the experience to share 10 reasons why bikepacking is great. Despite un unseasonably warm winter and less-than-ideal conditions, the group made the most of their time together.

Bad Boys of Bikepacking: Cathedral Valley Loop

Now known as the “Bad Boys of Bikepacking,” friends Evan Colt, Oliver Jones, and Oliver Lewis took on the Cathedral Valley Loop in Utah and put together an entertaining video from their ride. Here’s what Evan had to say about the trip: “From freezing snow to the gypsum sinkhole and stunning desert vistas, Cathedral Valley was a great bang-for-your-buck ride! The obstacles we encountered along our way made the trip one we will remember forever.”

Hunt Beyond 2024 Rider Line-up Announced

Hunt Wheels announced their HUNT Beyond 2024 rider lineup, which includes a mix of returning well-known faces, up and coming stars, and some new additions to their growing collective of riders. From Hunt: “Adventure, long distance, and bicycle travel are the name of the game for HUNT Beyond, and we are very proud to support a diverse group of riders competing in some of the biggest ultra-races, bikepacking events, and cross continental cycle tours.” Check out the entire lineup here.

Lost Dot Presents: Women Who Race

Lost Dot, the folks behind The Transcontinental Race, just launched a new podcast series for 2024 called Women Who Race. The monthly series is hosted by Taylor Doyle and will highlight the women participating in Lost Dot events, with an aim to inspire and encourage more women to get involved. The first episode features Mike Hall Bursary rider Han Lu, who was the Lanterne Rouge at TCRNo9 last year. Listen to it above.

Events Starting Soon

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon…

Fat Pursuit Camp

The Fat Pursuit Camp is a three-day, supported winter camp in Yellowstone Country with a focus on skill development and practice. While you can’t follow along live, the camp marks the beginning of Jay P’s Fat Pursuit race, which starts four days later.

Cross Florida: The Spanish

Cross Florida: The Spanish is a self-supported bikepacking event following the coast to coast The Spanish Indian Trail. There are two routes to choose from: a 520-mile odyssey and a 420-mile option. This year, riders will travel from the west coast in Fort Desoto and ride to the east coast to finish Castillo De San Marco in Saint Augustine. The grand depart is tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., and you can follow along live here.

Weekly Social

Some things we found around the ‘gram and elsewhere. This week, a handful of Instagram reels from folks participating in our Good Night 2023 Campout…

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