Inspiration & Blog

The Grand Loop is a new short film that showcases some of the adventurous destinations on New Zealand’s South Island. Like most good ideas, Damian Stones and Erik Hall came up with the idea for their trip over a few beers, and they decided to ride the route on gravel bikes in the middle of winter. Watch the film here, and read on for a Q&A with Damian…

Part three of our 2018 Bikepacking Awards honors the people who have been instrumental in the bikepacking community with inspiring trips and acts of goodwill related to bikepacking. In addition, we’ve awarded the year’s most incredible routes and rides that people have created and shared for others to enjoy…

As recipients of the 2018 Lael Rides Alaska Women’s Scholarship, Brooke Larsen and Kailey Kornhauser crafted a 1,000-mile ride from Seward to Deadhorse, Alaska. They didn’t just ride their bikes, though. They also listened to stories about climate change and fossil fuel extraction along the way. Read on for their story of finding gratitude and hope while pedaling through the far north…

Five-year-old Eleanor Maynard was diagnosed with leukemia last year. This past summer, her dad Adin took her on her first overnight bikepacking trip. Watch a lovely short film that follows their journey here…

In part two of our 2018 Bikepacking Awards series, we honor the creative arts, showcasing talented bikepackers with 22 awards in six different categories, including Best Short Film, Best Trip Photography, and Best in Art…

Huw Oliver and Annie Le pedaled their fatbikes through remote and mountainous snowscapes north of the Arctic Circle in hopes of better understanding “friluftsliv,” the philosophy of embracing open-air living. Read on for a story of attempting to find joy in being outdoors, despite the impossibly cold conditions…

Seeking a change in her daily routine, and inspired by the many other women who are out on extended bikepacking trips, Clare Nattress quit her job and left on an open-ended trip around the world. Now, after three months on the road in beautiful and challenging places like Norway and Nepal, she shares some thoughts on what she’s learned along the way, and offers some advice for other new bikepackers…

El Silencio: Cycling the Peru Divide tells the story of a group of riders and their journey across the mountainous heart of Peru’s Central Cordillera, a region noted for its remoteness… and its quietness. We chat to filmmaker Jay Ritchey about the challenges of making the film and the gear he used, and take a look at the Tumbleweed expedition bikes built up for the trip.

Nestled on the banks of the Umpqua River is the rural town of Elkton, Oregon, home to Randi Jo Fabrications. Specializing in the production of high-quality soft goods, the family-run business is dedicated to the creation of utilitarian products that everyone can enjoy. Find out more about how they got started, why they love waxed canvas so much, where the business is headed, and see an exclusive photoset from their heartwarming little workspace…

From The Doorstep is a poignant short film that challenges the notion that adventure has to happen on a grand scale, and highlights the power of the simple overnighter. It follows Brian Donnelly as he rides from his front door to the river, paddles to a small island, and spends the night camping out, all in the space of a single day. Watch it here, and read on for a Q&A with Brian…

In this edition of Rider’s Lens, we tag along with British photographer Jack Boffy on his ride from London to Hong Kong. He shares stories of camera failure, underbiking, and the highs and lows of a massive solo tour…

Iceland Divide is a new short film from Montanus that chronicles their recent bikepacking trip across Iceland, straight through the country’s notoriously unforgiving and desolate interior. Watch the full film here, along with behind the scenes photos and notes on the bikes and gear used for the trip…