Inspiration & Blog

In the third and final installment of our 2024 Bespoked UK coverage, we learn why ferrous steel is the most environmentally friendly bike frame material and take a look at nine more bikes and builders, including the titanium beauty awarded “Best Mountain Bike,” an interesting Pinion steel hardtail from Ted James, a 29+ ATB from Olsen, Drust’s drop-bar 29er, the mighty Titanosaur, 3D-printed bike bling, and more…

Are we getting lost often enough? Exploring more mindful navigation, Josh Meissner joins a mysterious gathering on the outskirts of Berlin called SteppenLOST. Join him as he gets turned around in the forest, and find a delightful set of photos from the event here…

Earlier this year, Avery Caudill rode 2,000 kilometers from Land’s End to John O’Groats in the UK, following the GB Divide bikepacking route. Watch the 20-minute video he put together from the ride here…

In the second part of his comprehensive coverage of the 2024 Tour Divide, photographer Eddie Clark offers an immersive glimpse into latter half of the race. He shares his experience of pursuing elusive cyclists and capturing ephemeral moments amidst the hills and hollows along this legendary route. Find his detailed recap and another stunning photo gallery here…

In our second set of coverage Bespoked UK 2024, find several more inspiring stories of small frame builders and makers, including one about a wild frame conversion from Bousif Custom Bikes, the best in show bike from BTR Fabrications, a new “carry” bike from Assembly, bags born from “British Gravel” and more…

In part one of our in-depth Bespoked UK 2024 coverage, we catch up with Clandestine to see the new Carrier and Carrier Pinion, look at a handmade carbon gravel bike from Sideways, learn about bikes and bird hides, see some new bags from Wizard Works and Tailfin, and check out several more custom bikes from Medusa and Alfano. Find all that and more here…

After years of putting off participating in the storied Highland Trail 550 bikepacking race in Scotland because she thought she wasn’t capable enough, Jenny Tough finally lined up for the 2024 edition of the race this spring. Find her uplifting story of persevering through the demanding course to quiet the voices of self-doubt alongside photos by John Summerton here…

In an expansive part one documenting the 2024 Tour Divide, photographer Eddie Clark shares his experience of chasing fast riders and capturing moments in the fleeting light from the tall grass and sagebrush along the iconic and storied route. Dive into his recap and explore an excellent photo gallery here…

After spending 10 days out on the remote Hellenic Mountain Race route in Greece with a voice recorder and an old film camera, Allan Shaw takes us along for the journey of documenting the nearly 900-kilometer bikepacking race as a podcast host and photographer. Find his gritty black-and-white snapshots and field recordings from the experience here…

In our latest edition of Rider’s Lens, we share a charming and colorful collection of illustrations from Colombian artist Camilo Parra, also known as Washedog. Read about Camilo’s passion for working by hand, find his perspective on the parallels between bikepacking and drawing, and explore the pages of his sketchbooks here…

In this piece, Joe shares a trip report of making new friends and riding Bike Friday’s all-terrain All-Packa folding bicycle in Montana last autumn before forbidding weather ended the bikepacking season. The party of four—which included Willie Hatfield, the bike’s lead designer—were all on the mini-velos. Along the way, Joe offers further thoughts on the prowess of 20” wheels…

This spring, 51-year-old Katrina Hase participated in her first bikepacking race on the Grand Loop. While her ride didn’t go exactly as planned, she learned valuable lessons for when she returns for another attempt. Watch the short video she put together from her ride here…