Field Trips

In our latest site visit, Neil pedals down the block to meet Chris and Arly of Goodday Bikes and Curiosity Bags in Gunnison, Colorado. Their integrated bike and bag setups are designed for modern-day adventure and take inspiration from old-school French randonneurs and classic Schwinns. Find a video tour of their operation and a profile on two of their custom creations here…

Last month, Evan Christenson stopped by Paul Component Engineering in Chico, California, to spend time with founder Paul Price and learn about the celebrated company he built from his garage more than three decades ago. Find a look inside the lively manufacturing space and get to know Paul and the fascinating story of his hand-machined parts empire here…

On a recent trip to Washington’s Kitsap Peninsula, we stopped by Austere Manufacturing’s headquarters to check out the space, learn more about owner/operator Uriel Eisen’s process, and see how his CNC-machined cam-locking buckles are made. Find everything you wanted to know about Austere here, including lots of photos and an interview with Uriel…

Based in Oaxaca for the better part of two years, Cass finally ventures to the metropolis of Mexico City to meet makers, ride with newfound friends, and get a taste of what this unexpectedly bicycle-friendly city has to offer bikepackers. Check out part one of this photo journal here…

To help mark their 40th anniversary this year, ORTLIEB recently invited us in for an exclusive visit to their expansive facility in the southeast of Germany to see how their universally recognizable waterproof bags are made and learn more about their mission and values. Find our photographic tour of ORTLIEB HQ and an interview with some of the team here…

Analog Cycles is a small shop in Poultney, Vermont, specializing in a thoughtful, intentional approach to all-terrain adventure riding. In a short time, it has become fiercely beloved to many customers in the northeast of the USA. We visited Analog at their just-opened new location, and we think their reputation is rightfully earned. Find photos and our interview with co-owners James Johnson and Candice Passehl here…

Following his recent relocation to Tucson, Arizona, we stopped by the new Bags by Bird workshop to check in with owner/operator Jay Ritchey, check out the space, and learn more about his small handmade bag brand. Find our interview, a photo tour of the shop, and a closer look at two of Jay’s interesting bikes here…

We dropped by Wizard Works’ London workshop to spend a day getting to know the growing team, led by founders Harry Major and Veronica Lowe, and learning more about the values and design principles that drive the handmade bikepacking bag brand. Find our interview and a photo tour of their space here…

We recently toured the Kitsbow facility and got a crash course on what it means to make clothing in the USA and be on the cutting edge of compostable (and minimal) packaging, sustainable manufacturing, and revitalizing the lost textile industry in a western North Carolina trail town. Read all about that, plus mini-reviews of some of our favorite Kitsbow gear and how to get a discount on their apparel through our Bikepacking Collective membership…

British Columbia-based Naked Bicycles specializes in custom titanium bikes and pushing the limits of angles and geometry. We stopped by their shop to snap some photos, have a chat with owner Sam Whittingham, and learn more about his approach to framebuilding. Check it out here…

British Columbia-based Landyachtz Bikes has a complete line of purpose-built bicycles and specializes in custom in-house titanium and steel dream rigs. We dropped by their shop in Vancouver to learn more about what they’re up to and check out some of their latest creations. Find an interview and a gallery of photos here…

We recently stopped into the Clandestine workshop in Bristol to meet framebuilder Pi Manson and learn more about the philosophy behind his beautiful handmade steel frames. Find our interview and a gallery of photos from his shop here…