If you’re a bikepacker who’s used to touring speeds or social rides, and are considering racing, or even just some rides with longer days, this blog post is written for you. Continue reading How to go faster without pedaling (much) harder…
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
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
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
Words and photos by Sarah Swallow The setting was the Bolivian salt flats outside of Uyuni. The time was November 2019; Adam and I were one-and-a-half years into our relationship. It was the end of a month-long bikepacking trip that had started with getting stuck in La Paz during a coup d’état of Bolivia’s then-socialist President Evo Morales, and some of the most intense and … Continue reading Bikepacking for Couples Part I: Lost on the Bolivian Salt Flats, A Story
Text and images by Madeline Depman Racing bikes has allowed me to explore so many parts of the country that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to visit. Most of the traveling has either been alone or with my husband, so I was over the moon when my daughter and new adventure buddy Ruth finally arrived late last year. Since her birth, she’s … Continue reading Otso to the rescue!
All drop bar complete bikes using Shimano GRX 11-speed are up to 25% off. This includes Waheela C, Warakin bikes, and Fenrir bikes in all sizes and colorways – even the new colorways for Waheela C. The sale is good for 1x and 2x options with either GRX 600 or GRX 800 levels. The discount is on the base build only; upgrades are still available … Continue reading Save up to 25% on Gravel Bikes
The Waheela C is the ultimate all-around gravel bike. It’s known for its massive tire clearance, adjustable geometry, and surprisingly compliant carbon frame. Build it with 700c x 38mm tires for your next gravel race, then swap in a 29” wheelset and load it with cargo for your next overnighter. Now it has two new colorways ahead of the summer riding season: Olive & Black … Continue reading New Waheela C Colorways for 2023
Words and images by Sarah Swallow If you are new to the world of bikepacking, you may be wondering what the difference is between bikepacking and bicycle touring. Theoretically, bicycle touring and bikepacking represent traveling by bike through a place but in different forms and fashions. While touring is used to distinguish between the pace or intention of a ride compared to racing, bicycle touring … Continue reading Introduction to Bikepacking: Tips, Tricks, and Pack List
We’re excited to welcome Sarah Swallow to our community of Otso ambassadors. Sarah is an adventure cyclist, event organizer, route developer, storyteller, and a very good person. You may have read her work. Or maybe you joined her on a ride for her Ruta del Jefe or Sky Islands Odyssey Route Project. She’s a strong rider and an even stronger advocate for cycling with respect … Continue reading Meet Sarah Swallow
