From the Archives: Revelate Frame Bag #001

Many bag makers have emerged in the years that bikepacking has boomed, but few can claim the same history and depth of experience as Eric Parsons of Revelate Designs in Alaska. The brand has been instrumental in shaping the era of modern bikepacking, and it’s come a long way from its origins as a one-man shop. We just stumbled upon this pair of charming shots from a bikepacking trip Eric took along the 1,000-kilometer Carretera Austral route in Chile some 25 years ago, well before Revelate Designs officially came into being. Eric’s 26er hardtail features a 3×8 drivetrain and the first frame bag he ever made—a true blast from the past that doesn’t look all that different from what’s available today.

Looking back on the journey, Eric wrote, “I learned a lot on this trip, I had 2 nights where my mid blew away… I was wet most of the time, but I was young and durable, so who cares, right?” This has us remembering our first bikepacking getaways with some nostalgia and wondering about our readers’ early rides. Have a memory, lesson, or photo to share from one of your first bikepacking trips? We’d love it if you’d leave it in the conversation below!

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