Quitting: A Cyclist’s Guide to Graceful Exits

Words and Photos by Sarah Swallow Bikepacking trips and events can require months of training and preparation, financial investment, and time off work and away from loved ones. So, what leads us to quit things we have put so much emotional, physical, and financial energy into completing? How do we avoid quitting? How do we know when to stop, when to pivot, or when to … Continue reading Quitting: A Cyclist’s Guide to Graceful Exits

Otso Hoot Ti MADE Dream Build

Otso Hoot Ti – MADE Dream Build

The Otso Hoot Ti is a premium titanium hardtail mountain bike designed with fun in mind. It has short 425mm chainstays, a slack 65º head tube angle, a steep 76º seat tube angle that altogether make for a rowdy yet stable riding experience. It climbs great, it shines when you point it downhill, and it definitely brings the party to any line on the trail. … Continue reading Otso Hoot Ti – MADE Dream Build

Support Through the Unsupported – Unbound XL 

Words by Becca Book, Images by @marathonfoto On the last Friday of May, an odd coalition of 192 cyclists packed Emporia’s main street for the 355 mile Unbound XL with a range of equipment ranging from ultra-light to ultra-prepared. The camera crew hovering in a helicopter above us was in stark contrast to other bikepacking races I have done, which by and large start on … Continue reading Support Through the Unsupported – Unbound XL 

Bridging Identities During the Silk Road Mountain Race

Words and images by Stephen Shelesky Equal parts joy, escapism, and self-therapy, I’ve found a lot of reasons to gravitate towards ultra-cycling. Since entering the sport less than two years ago, riding ultra has led me through one of my largest life transitions to date and increased my self confidence tenfold. Ultra takes many forms, bikepacking races being one of them. One of the pinnacle … Continue reading Bridging Identities During the Silk Road Mountain Race

Ultra : Ascending & Descending – 21 Days beneath an Arctic Lunar Phase

Words by Mateo Paez. Images by Mateo Paez and Stephen Shelesky I am just home from 21 days in the Nordic territories, Iceland and Norway to be exact. Eight flights, four trains, seven buses and a few miles by bike in between, that is 1,343 miles/2,261 kilometers pedaled total. I am fortunate enough to compete in these events but also write about them, for the … Continue reading Ultra : Ascending & Descending – 21 Days beneath an Arctic Lunar Phase

Bikepacking for Couples Part II: Strategies for Experiencing Joy and Managing Conflict

Words and photos by Sarah Swallow Having fun together is vital to relationship satisfaction, according to the Gottman Institute. The research shows that the stress that couples experience must be balanced with a certain amount of connection and fun to build a positive relationship perspective. In other words, we need to have an archive of fun experiences so that when times are tough, those positive … Continue reading Bikepacking for Couples Part II: Strategies for Experiencing Joy and Managing Conflict