Ikara Outback
The Ikara Outback is a multi‑day bikepacking loop in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, roughly 400 km north of Adelaide. It stitches together national‑park trails, public‑access routes, station roads and quiet highways, delivering red‑rock gorges, mountain vistas and vast pastoral country. Rated a difficulty 5, the route challenges riders with rocky, sandy sections and long distances, while offering six bookable campsites and several resupply points. The loop also passes culturally significant Indigenous sites and historic pastoral stations, making it a rare blend of adventure and heritage.
Rigs of the 2026 Highland Trail 550 (HT550)
The 13th annual Highland Trail 550 (HT550) kicks off tomorrow in Scotland with over 60 riders, half of whom are women. Organizers collected detailed bike, bag, and gear specs from nearly 40 participants, showcasing a wide spectrum of high‑end and custom...
Revelate Designs FKT Series, Updated Pitchfork, and New Ultra Shrew
Revelate Designs launched its FKT Series, a line of ultra‑light bikepacking gear aimed at racers and record‑seekers. The series debuts an updated Pitchfork Aerobar System, now weighing 170 g and priced at $199, and a new Ultra Shrew seat bag that tips...
Does the Bike Industry Use AI? (Video)
At the 2026 Sea Otter Classic, Neil Beltchenko surveyed 27 bike‑industry representatives about AI usage. Responses ranged from near‑zero adoption, with some executives warning that AI‑generated content could damage brand integrity, to active deployment for copywriting, email handling, international shipping...
Mata Atlantica Bike Route (N1): Chapada
The Mata Atlântica Bike Route’s first segment (N1) opens a 1,200‑km stretch through Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina National Park and the semi‑arid Caatinga, linking historic mining towns to coastal Atlantic Forest. The trail mixes steep singletrack sections rated up to 9/10 with...
Nordest Kutxo 2 Announced
Nordest Cycles unveiled the 2026 update of its rugged drop‑bar 29er, the Kutxo 2, featuring subtle geometry tweaks, new paint finishes, and the choice of a steel or carbon fork. The bike retains its 435 mm chainstays, 29×2.4″ tire clearance, and adds...
An Exclusive First Look at the New Viral Optimist 145
Viral Bikes unveiled the Optimist 145, a prototype full‑suspension mountain bike built around a titanium front triangle, CNC‑machined alloy rear, and a Pinion gearbox housed in an adjustable flex plate. The bike offers 145 mm rear and 150 mm front travel, 29×2.5″ tires,...
The Fauna Components Cargo Cradle Launches with a New XL Cargo Cage and Bag Support
Fauna Components unveiled a four‑piece Cargo Cradle system that mounts to 1‑1/8" steerer tubes, offering a modular platform for bikepacking gear. The kit includes a stainless‑steel cradle, an XL cargo cage rated for 6 kg, a handlebar bag support in two...
Cotic Escapade 6 Announced
Cotic has unveiled the Escapade 6, a ground‑up redesign of its flagship gravel bike built around 700×50 mm tires and the brand’s Sureshot geometry. The new frame features Reynolds 853 tubing, 3D‑printed dropouts, a custom steel fork and extensive mounting options, while reducing...
Mountain Laurel Designs Is For Sale
Mountain Laurel Designs, the Virginia‑based ultralight gear specialist founded by Ron Bell in 2002, is now for sale as Bell prepares to retire. The owner is open to a full acquisition, majority or minority equity stakes, or a management‑to‑ownership deal...
Friday Debrief: Paul Top Caps, Featherlight 32″ Wheels, a Dual-Burner Camp Stove, and More…
The weekly Debrief spotlights a wave of new bike‑packing gear, from Albion’s UV‑protective Zoa Sun Shield mid‑layer to Berd’s 32‑inch HAWK30 Gold wheels, which at 1,196 g claim the lightest production status. It also introduces the Optimus Gemini II dual‑burner stove, Paul...
Salsa Fargo 32 Review: Old Dog, New Tricks
Salsa revives its cult‑classic Fargo by adding a purpose‑built 32‑inch version for 2026, offered in triple‑butted chromoly steel and seamless titanium frames. The titanium model weighs 23.8 lb and retails for $3,499, while the steel option costs $1,799. Designed around 32×2.4″...
2026 Sea Otter Classic: John and Mira’s Xtracycle OmniTierra
Xtracycle has launched the OmniTierra, a titanium mid‑tail cargo bike co‑designed with dog‑packing duo John Freeman and his border collie Mira. Pre‑orders begin today with a $1,000 discount through May 31, 2026, pricing the complete build at $5,699 (regular $6,699). The...
Rockgeist Big Dumpling Review: If This Bag Could Talk
Rockgeist’s Big Dumpling, a 6 L waterproof hip pack originally launched by Porcelain Rocket in 2019, has become the go‑to camera carrier for bike‑packing photographer Miles Arbour. After seven years and tens of thousands of kilometres of use, the bag’s RF‑welded...
Surly Sorceress Review: Trail Magic?
Surly’s 2026 Sorceress hardtail returns to steel with a 4130 Natch frame, 140 mm fork and aggressive 65° head‑tube angle aimed at trail riders. The bike features a patent‑pending DUH dropout that lets riders switch between a SRAM Eagle 90 drivetrain and...