Our Reader's Rig of the week comes from Riley in Colorado, who shares the Specialized Chisel HT he'll soon be riding in the 2026 Tour Divide, which starts next week. Get to know Riley, take a detailed look at his loaded hardtail, and learn about his longtime connection to the event here...The post Readers Rig: Rileys Specialized Chisel HT appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Further to yesterdays post, a reader asked why the fork on the latest testcycleis different from the one on the Classic Cycle website:Well, Paul was reading, and heres your answer:Someone asked in the comments why I didnt leave the Marzocci fork on the bike. I wanted to spare you a collar bone break is the answer. The Marzocci fork was only 80mm of travel so the bike had you tipped over the extremely tight front end as a starting position.I need you healthy to try out the next bike with the game-changing wheel size.I assume that means Ill be getting one of those old Cannondales with the 24-inch rear wheel:Meanwhile, speaking of trials, I am one of the very few people in the cycling world brave enough to speak up about the pointlessness of ultra-endurance cycling, though certainly I feel differently about a woman attempting to break the mens record for circumnavigating the Earth by bicycle, right?Nah.In fact, of all the ultra-endurance cycling feats people have cooked up since the invention of the velocipede, riding one around the world is probably the most pointless, for the simple reason that you cant ride a bicycle around the world.You know, because like 70% of the world is water, and nobodys doing this on an amphibious bicycle:Actually, maybe they are. But you know what? If they are dont even tell me, I dont wanna know and I dont care.But yes, sailing a boat around the world is a thing, and flying a plane around the world is a thing, but everything else is just foppish gallivanting:None of this is to say I dont wish her both luck and success in her journey, because I certainly do:Wilcox, 39,circumnavigated the Earthin 108 days in 2024, setting the womens record for quickest bike trip around the world. On Sunday, she plans to set out again from Chicago, and if all goes according to plan she will finish in the same city on Aug. 24 after 78 days, breaking the record set by Mark Beaumont of Britain in 2017 by a half day.Please, dont mistake my contempt for these sorts of stunts as ill will. I want all these professional vacationers to achieve their goals and, most importantly, arrive at their destinations safely and in good health. But sorry, this is not riding around the world, this is taking a bunch of long rides in different parts of the world:Of course, the current record-holder describes this as two and a half months of suffering:Beaumont, the record-holder, welcomes Wilcoxs attempt. When other people try to take the mantel, its fantastic, he said. Were 10 years on, its about time someone breaks it. I know how hard it is: Its two and a half months of suffering.Oh please. Two and a half months at pretty much any normal job involves way more suffering than riding a bicycle around the world. Why do you think these people do it? Consider the current record-holder. This guys entire life is the literal manifestation of the expression it beats working:Still, attempting to break a record does require sacrifices, such as chatting less:Last time I had so much fun kind of socializing; people would come out to say hello, and I had the time to stop and talk, and I never felt really pressured for time, she said. And this time I have to be a bit stricter staying on the bike. I am inviting people to come out and ride with me again, like last time; I just cant stop as frequently to talk.Well, she may have fooled the Times, but as someone who has pursued the twin goals of cycling as much as possible and socializing as little as possible there is simply no way you can sell this to me as anything but a dream vacation, and this should really be in the Travel section.By the way, since you cant actually ride your bicycle around the world, what gives someone the right to say they did it? Shouldnt you just be able to ride around the Kissena Velodrome 80,000 times? Well, here are the rules according to Guinness World Records:Since a true circumnavigation is impossible by bike, Guinness World Records has established some rules for a ride to qualify as going around the world. Riders must complete at least 18,000 miles, travel in one direction and finish where they started. They also must pass two points that are antipodal, or located exactly opposite each other on the globe.Dear Lob, its 2026! Why are we still listening to the Guinness people? Its just a novelty book with pictures of fat guys on motorcycles:And people with disturbingly long fingernails:Hes the ideal customer for a single-ring drivetrain.

LidlTrek are shaking up the market with chequebook ambition. The American squad are already looking ahead to next season, shoring up both their mens and womens teams. Each boasts deep, competitive rosters, but the latest moves signal a step up in the sporting projects quality. A radical shift i...

In this short piece, Tristan Bogaard explores the relationship between a landscape, its inhabitants, and its visitors. Set in Spains province of Jan, in Andalucia, its a tribute to the world of conservation and an exercise in finding the right way to enjoy natural beauty. Read it belowThe post Its the Simple Things appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Ashville, North Carolinas Cane Creek has announced that it will be opening its HQ to the public for the launch of the inaugural showcase, Crafted: Southeast Bicycle and Gear Show. This is the Southeasts first dedicated showcase of handmade bicycles, custom components, and cycling craftsmanship.(Photo / Crafted)The Event will take place on September 26-27, 2026. Hosted by Cane Creek in Fletcher, North Carolina, the event is free and open to the public. Exhibitor applications are currently open HERE.Its About the RegionWe are situated in the Southeast with an often forgotten but lively cycling industry. We have so many partners that fall into that handmade and small frame builders category down here, and they deserve to be celebrated and highlighted. Said Cane Creeks OEM Sales Manager, Bryan Flack. The cyclists that ride here in the Southeast are also eager to meet like-minded frame builders and see the incredible bicycles they make. There are other handmade bike shows out West or in Europe, which are great, but we wanted to celebrate and highlight those frame builders in our backyard, on the East Coast, and the Southeast.The shows venue is located just minutes from downtown Asheville and the Pisgah National Forest. The event is meant to celebrate the bicycle, community, and the epic local riding in Western North Carolina. Hoping to capture the spirit of the region while providing the independent frame and component builders the opportunity to showcase their talents and craftsmanship. This is year one, and the beginning of something bigger,Said Dorene OMalley, CRAFTED Director. Our hope is to build an annual event in the Southeast to celebrate small frame builders, gear, and component manufacturers. Join us in building a community.What to ExpectDiscover craft and unique gear, handmade bikes, and bike partsAsk questions, hear makers stories, shop, and support smaller names in the cycling industryGroup rides, tours, live music, tattoos, food, and libationsKid and family-friendly skills courseThe show kicks off Saturday, September 26th, and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 PM. Sunday, September 27th, from 10 a.m. to 4 PM. Group rides, live music, and tattoos will be going off all day.Sounds like a stellar time! See the link below for more details. CraftedBikeShow.comThe post CRAFTED: Southeast Bicycle & Gear Showcase to Be Held at Cane Creek HQ appeared first on Bikerumor.

Our experts highly rated both of these bike computers, and ahead of Prime Day, they are discounted nicely, but at 40% off, the Garmin Edge Explore 2 is a total bargain

Announced this week, Revelates new Extended Play is an aptly named top tube bag available in two lengths for rides that require extra capacity. Neil and Miles have been testing both sizes ahead of launch. Find their review of the Revelate Designs Extended Play top tube bag hereThe post Revelate Designs Extended Play Top Tube Bag Review: Snackaholics Unite appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.