Tag: Bikepacking

A Cyclist's Path Through Injury and Identity
Ambassador

A Cyclist’s Path Through Injury and Identity

Words and photos by Sarah Swallow (@sarahjswallow)Additional photos by Ri Ganey (@ri_ganey) When chronic injury took away the bicycle, Otso Cycle’s ambassador, Sarah Swallow, was forced to confront a difficult question: Who is she beyond what her body can do? This is a story about grief, identity, recovery, and the unexpected ways an injury can expand our lives rather than simply limit them. Seven months … Continue reading A Cyclist’s Path Through Injury and Identity

Otso Cycles
Better Together: Supported Bikepacking Trips
Ambassador, Bikepacking Features

Better Together: Supported Bikepacking Trips

Words and Photos by: Sam Lewandowski (@saminthemountains_) The small roadside information panel appeared at first like a mirage, tempting me with its promise of a sliver of shade. I had started out from camp early while the sun still hid behind the towering canyon walls, knowing the temperatures were forecasted to rise to the mid-90s by the early afternoon, which in the Utah desert might … Continue reading Better Together: Supported Bikepacking Trips

Otso Cycles
Fatbikepacking
Ambassador, Bikepacking Features

A New Way to Love Winter

Words and Photos by: Elena Alsides-Haynes (@mplsbruja)Additional photos by: Amanda Harvey (@mandi042) My first winter bikepacking trip was about 4 years ago. I went with my friend Amanda and our friend Rebecca, both of whom were experienced in winter specific bikepacking. The experience I brought was my years of bikepacking across the continent, but I drastically overestimated my capabilities and knowledge of what it would … Continue reading A New Way to Love Winter

Otso Cycles
Dexter Unbound XL Start
Ambassador, Bikepacking Features, Racing

Dexter’s Unbound XL Recap

I felt the mist as goosebumps gathering on my arms before I could make it out visually in the moonless darkness. I glanced at my Garmin to recognize mile 155.5; start of the infamous Little Egypt Rd. The spot where, earlier that week, a chance encounter with filmmaker John Mathews had saved me from attempting to ford a turbulent sea of mud slowly baking in … Continue reading Dexter’s Unbound XL Recap

Otso Cycles
Fenrir Ti - TD Finish
Ambassador, Bike Check, Bikepacking Features, Racing

JJJJustin’s Tour Divide Recap

Words and Photos by Justin McKinley The 2025 Tour Divide was memorable for all sorts of reasons. It was my third attempt in as many years. My first two ended before reaching Antelope Wells so when I showed up in Banff this year I knew there was 2700 miles of rugged terrain ahead of me. Every year on the Divide is different with its own … Continue reading JJJJustin’s Tour Divide Recap

Andrew Nepsund
Bear's Ears
Ambassador, Bikepacking Features, News, Take Action

Bears Ears: In Defense of Public Lands

Words and Photos by Sam Lewandowski “The acreage of our federal public lands is equivalent to the entire country of Germany seven times over. These lands provide space for hunting, fishing, and leisure activities; wildlife habitats; clean-water protection; sustainable industry; and much more. All for the public. It’s about as profoundly American an idea as you can find: the democratization of land and resources and … Continue reading Bears Ears: In Defense of Public Lands

Otso Cycles
Tour Divide Fenrir Ti
Ambassador, Bike Check, Bikepacking Features, Events, Interviews, News, Racing

Tour Divide Bike Checks

We have a handful of super rad Otso Ambassadors taking on the Tour Divide this year and we had to take the opportunity to share a bit of each of their stories here. Below you will find bike photo galleries and answers to the questions we all want to ask these types of folks. We hope you enjoy the photos and the reading as much … Continue reading Tour Divide Bike Checks

Otso Cycles
Ambassador, Bikepacking Features, Events

Stephanie’s BIG DUMB RIDE (BDR)

Words by Stephanie Hall, Photos by Derek Ludwig Let’s first start with some definitions.  Definitions: Big Dumb Ride [BDR]:Type 2 fun, a bad idea, usually long, dumb in all the right ways. Vermont Filthy: Friday ride crew, sendy, gnarly rides, kind people. Fat Filthy, 189 miles 27,000ft climbing.  Voytek 2: Exactly the right tool for the job. A fast fat bike with ample geometry options … Continue reading Stephanie’s BIG DUMB RIDE (BDR)

Otso Cycles
Ambassador, Bike Check, Bikepacking Features, Events, Racing

Meet Otso Ambassador Dexter Kopas

Words by Dexter KopasPhotos by Aaron Hardin Howdy, y’all! Stoked to be welcomed into the Otso club. I am 28 years old, live in Tucson, AZ, and I am drawn to Otso for three reasons, which together encapsulate what I love about bikes. The structured component of my biking life is around competition. Over the last three years, I have gone from never racing to … Continue reading Meet Otso Ambassador Dexter Kopas

Otso Cycles
JJJJustin Fenrir Ti
Bike Check, Bikepacking Features, News, Racing

Tour Divide: Ride It with Style

Otso Ambassador Justin McKinley has been sharing some rad updates on his YouTube channel about his upcoming adventure: The Tour Divide. This will be Justin’s third attempt at the route. This year, he’s chosen to race The Divide on his new Otso Fenrir Ti. Justin recently shared that he got his Fenrir Ti all built up and we couldn’t be more excited about the result. … Continue reading Tour Divide: Ride It with Style

Andrew Nepsund