Plan & Prepare

Neil Beltchenko just rode the Colorado portion of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in less than two and a half days. In this reflection, he shares a few things that worked well during the ride, and others that didn’t…

Last month, 100 cyclists from all over the country identifying as women, transgender, femme, and non-binary gathered in Whitefish, MT, for the first WTF Bikexplorers Summit. Leading up to it, they also organized the WTF Ride Series, and we’re happy to share this excellent summary of those rides, featuring photos and route maps. Plus, an introduction to the WTF Bikexplorers Grassroots Ride Program…

Firepot dehydrated meals promise tasty, wholesome, locally sourced, and ultralight meals to bookend your days in the saddle. We try out a couple of their meals in the woodlands of Dorset…

We just completed the forthcoming Armenian leg of the Caucasus Crossing, aka the Trans-Armenia. Here’s Logan’s full backpackless kit he brought along—capable of carrying five days’ worth of food and a full frame camera kit. Plus, six new favorite pieces of gear that he may never go bikepacking without again…

After completing a trip through Bolivia and Northern Chile, Cass Gilbert talks us through his setup choices for touring on the South American Altiplano, including thoughts on weight versus practicality, the benefits of running a modular setup over a long trip, a core packlist, what survived and what didn’t, and a couple of nutritious, high plain recipes.

In this Route Report, Yuto Watanabe checks in after a hot and dusty ride around Utah’s Grand Staircase Loop, bringing back a wealth of great photos from the area’s meandering dirt roads and rugged canyons. Plus, he offers some thoughts on when to go, where to start, and what to look out for…

In our first-ever video route guide, filmmaker Jay Ritchey and Cass Gilbert offer a stunning and informative look at the Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route. If you aren’t familiar with the TEMBR, this is a must-watch feature. And if you’re considering riding the route, this film will surely have you packing your bags…

For our fourth installment of One Question, Five Voices, we round up a group of experienced bikepackers and bicycle tourists to find out how traveling by bicycle has informed their understanding of the world today. Find out what important lessons they’ve learned while pedaling through places unknown…

Justin Barnes reports in after solo riding a sizable portion of the Ruta de las Tres Cordilleras, a challenging traverse from the high mountains of Bolivia to Peru. He shares a useful detour that allows for easier visa logistics, uncomfortable news on the mining situation in the area, and a poignant, personal tale of what he learned from the route’s many challenges…

In our third installment of One Question, Five Voices, we ask a group of Tour Divide finishers to share their secrets for mentally preparing to race from Banff to Mexico along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Read on to glean some insights for getting into the Tour Divide mindset, whether you’re hoping to set a new record or just want to make it to the finish…

We’re always striving to improve the routes we publish on the site. As such, Cass Gilbert headed out to re-ride a section of the Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route (TEMBR) at the end of last season to work on some improvements. In preparation for this year’s season, here’s a collection of images from the journey and thoughts on what bike suits it best…

To wrap up the Baja Divide season, Cass Gilbert heads off to tackle the 555-mile Missions section of the route, considered to be its highlight. He returns with a tan, a ride gallery, and advice on the ride itself, including some logistical details for zoning in on this glorious, easily accessed part of the 1,700 mile route. If you’ve two weeks to spare next winter, start dreaming now…