Bikepacking Culture

What does “self-supported” really mean? In this essay, Jackie Baker works to define it in the ultra-endurance bikepacking context and outlines three self-supported principles to help ensure the integrity and longevity of the sport. Find her takeaways from interviews with all kinds of racers and organizers and a massive gallery of images from some of our favorite events here…

There’s a group of more than 50 women out pedaling along the quiet roads and doubletracks of the 700-kilometer Montañas Vacías route across Spanish Lapland right now. Photographer Rugile Kaladyte was at the start to shoot portraits of all 55 riders and their rigs before they set off. Find the full gallery here…

Hosted by Ultraromance, the All Terrain Bicycle Challenge is an entertaining new game show-style series that follows five contestants as they dream up and build their interpretation of the ultimate ATB before taking on an impossibly difficult route. Watch the first episode and find details on all the bike builds here…

Neil recently stopped into the new JPaks workspace in Denver, Colorado, to catch up with founder Joe Tonsager and learn more about his small handmade bikepacking bag brand. Watch our video shop tour and interview here…

Following his days spent covering the 2022 Sea Otter Classic, Evan Christenson put together this candid reflection on his first behind-the-scenes experience, an examination of his ongoing transition from racer to bikepacking tourist, and some hopes for the future of diversity and inclusivity in cycling. Find his thoughts and a gallery of assorted photos here…

In our third report from the maze of products, people, and booths that make up the 2022 Sea Otter Classic, Evan Christenson finds a dozen more noteworthy new products and a few other interesting stories worth sharing. See it all here…

In our second report from the cacophony of the 2022 Sea Otter Classic, Evan Christenson uncovers some more unique people and things, including a couple of new seat packs, a 3D printed bike, and stories about a handful of riders and their rigs. See it all here…

In our first report from the sweltering and vibrant landscape of the 2022 Sea Otter Classic, Evan Christenson unearths some interesting finds, including a new universal rack, some beautiful titanium bikes, a rad vintage 26” Bianchi, and shares stories of adaptive riders and folks who pedaled 1,000+ miles to get to the event…

Our decision to create a printed publication devoted to bikepacking has raised some eyebrows, but we think the future of print is bright if enough people are willing to support us. Here’s some insight into our goals for The Bikepacking Journal, why we need your backing now more than ever, and where your money goes when you support us…

Last weekend in Berlin, framebuilders, makers, artists, small brands, and enthusiasts of all things two-wheeled came together for the kolektif Bike Fair. Less a trade show, more a social platform, kolektif leaned into the full breadth of cycling and saturated attendees with impressions and interesting new products. Find our highlight reel from the event here…

Photographer Dominique Powers was at this year’s Ruta del Jefe event, a weekend of adventure and education, where she put together this photo essay from the singularly beautiful Sky Islands region of southern Arizona. Find a warm and vibrant gallery of images and her impressions on what made it a special experience here…

At the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, two ferry rides away from the city of Vancouver, is the qathet Regional District and the city of Powell River. In our latest local’s guide, Miles reflects on living there for the last year, several local bikepacking routes, and the community that has drawn him in…