Our resident adventure field tester, Matteo Pistono, pedaled chunky single track and gravel fire roads with the Swift Olliepack and shares first impressions.

ReportsMatteo PistonoSeptember 20, 2022bikepacking, bikepacking bag review, swift, swift industries, review, matteo pistono

2021 Stagecoach 400 Race Recap - The Great Burrito Truce

This 2021 Stagecoach 400 marks the 10th edition of the longest bikepacking race in California. After more than a year of pandemic, lockdowns, and race cancellations, excitement had built among the riding community in San Diego and beyond. For many of the participants, this was the last race they attended back in 2020, as the country shut down following last year’s start. Online registration for the 2021 event filled within hours. Riders looked to traverse the region’s diverse set of biomes across nearly 400 miles of challenging terrain. April 9th, 2021 was the Grand Depart.

ReportsMatteo PistonoApril 22, 2021stagecoach 400, race report, anza borrego, 2021 stagecoach 400, ride, rides, memberstory

Apidura Expedition Series Bikepacking Gear Review

Apidura is one of the top bikepacking bag makers and has led the way in ultralight, rackless packing systems. They produce minimalist gear for multi-month bike tours, self-supported cross country races, as well as for a weekend get-away. As bikepacking and adventure riding continues to grow we have seen an increasing number of bag brands enter the market, pushing Apidura to stay on top of their game.

The Three Bikepacking Gems of Southern California

I feel fortunate to have had an early winter full of bikepacking in Southern California where I was riding my Salsa Cutthroat equipped with Apidura’s Expedition line of bikepacking bags. I’m looking back to those trips with more fondness than usual. And now, in this liminal space, where we inhabit at socially acceptable distances from each other, I wanted to offer my thoughts on the three bike packing gems of Southern California - Santa Catalina Island, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and the formidable Stagecoach 400.

Teravail Sparwood Durable Review

It’s winter here in Southern California and that means training season for upcoming bikepacking adventures and races. In preparation, I’ve been trail testing some tires from Teravail, the QBP brand, that is well known for off-road tires. I was keen to try the Sparwood 29 x 2.2” tires on my Salsa Cutthroat for the last three months on mostly local gravel, mountain single-track, desert sand, and multi-day bike packing routes in varied terrains.

Hunt of the North 2019 - Gravel Race Report

Gravel races and events have their unique characteristics. Nearly all test riders in distance and climbing. Some events merge elements of bike packing, cyclocross, and even straight up road racing. Most gravel events grow out of the local riding culture and are often dictated by terrain. By any measure, this year’s running of the Hunt of the North in Carlsbad, California was unlike any other gravel grinder you will find.

Race Report: The 2019 Stagecoach 400

Matteo Pistono’s account of The Stagecoach 400 multi-day bikepacking race in Southern California.

Review of Ere Research Tenaci 32mm Tires

Gravel riding in San Diego’s north county offers a combination of urban shard-ladened tarmac connecting hard packed sand and rollers on washed out and rutted mountain bike loops. In these conditions, for traction and stability, I prefer to max out the tire size to 38 mm on my Foundry Overland. But with the Belgian Waffle Ride date quickly approaching, and other adventures like the SBT GRVL, where I will likely run a smaller tire choice, I thought I would test out Ere Research’s 32 mm Tenaci.