The Radavist

One of my favorite publications just released their third issue online for free! Check it out above and see more information at Bunyan Velo. Free publications like this rely on reader support. If you can, make a small donation here.

If you’ve been following the Great Escape, you’ve watched E and S take on the Alps with their touring bikes, loaded down with camping equipment. I love following their rides and still check in on their Tumblr every day and it wasn’t until seeing this photo that I realized there hasn’t been a plug for a while.

Check out that bike… Most importantly, check out that seatpost. Whatever E is riding, it looks pretty boss.

UGHHHHHHHHHHH…. I want to get out there again. It’s been too long! Most importantly, I’m stoked for friends of mine who actually are getting out there this summer. I know Ty’s getting stoked on the Great Divide. Check out the latest campaign from Blackburn.

“What’s Out There?

Designed with Blackburn’s founding principle in mind – the spirit of adventure – the Out There program tells the story of two iconic cycling routes, the people who ride them and the uncommon adventures they have along the way. These routes, the Pacific Coast Highway and the Great Divide, serve as the blank pages that the Blackburn ambassadors, nicknamed “Rangers”, will craft their stories of adventure upon.

Watch the video for a glimpse into the people, the places and the uncommon adventures that make up the Out There program.
Visit blackburndesign.com/outthere in late July to hear the rest of the story.”

See larger here

When this project was first proposed to me, all I thought was “this is too good to be true” and after what seems to be a maddening process of pulling everything together, we’re good to go! Here’s the official blurb from Mission Workshop:

“Follow John Watson of Prollyisnotprobably.com and the Mission Workshop crew as they ride through China’s Yangtze river delta on a photo exploration of bike culture with the help of the guys at Factory Five. Visit the Mission Workshop Blog as they travel through the world’s largest urban population in Shanghai and also explore the ancient architecture of the Chinese countryside.”

To start off the trip, I’ll be in Taiwan in time for the Taipei International Cycle Show before we fly out to Shanghai. This is one part of the world I’ve always wanted to see and I cannot wait to share my photos with you all.

Expect daily updates both here and on the Mission Workshop blog, as well as on Instagram @JohnProlly @MissionWorkshop.

Bunyan Velo Issue 01, an online publication dedicated to bike camping, touring, expeditions and general badassery is now online for free. I don’t have time to read it at the moment but the photos alone are worth the flip through.

Check it out above and you’ll want to go full-screen with this one.

Depending on how light you travel by bike, these two bags could very well hold everything you need for a week-long bicycle tour or camping trip and the best thing is, you don’t need rack mounts or any additional provisions. Just a seat post, saddle rails and handlebars. The frame, bar and saddle bags that are coming out of Porcelain Rocket’s shop in Calgary are strikingly beautiful.

This isn’t your traditional waxed canvas and leather saddle bags used by randonneurs. These bags are made from Dimension Polyant VX21, HDPE and clasp together with Rock Lockster buckles. They can be customized to any number of color combinations and patterns (see above). Used primarily by MTBrs, these packs will fit on just about any bicycle frame.

I’ve never used a Porcelain Rocket bag, but I had great luck with my  Viscacha saddle bag by Revelate Designs, which looks similar. I’m heading out to Asia in a few weeks and then to Australia, where I’ll be using my Viscacha yet again. I would be picking up a set from Scott if he didn’t have such a long lead-time.

You’ll have to wait about 10-12 weeks for your Porcelain Rocket bag but they look like they’re worth the wait. Check out the full line at Porcelain Rocket and see more of Scott’s creations on his Flickr.

… or maybe your weekend looked like this? Brad from SF shot this video of a weekend spent bicycle camping with an old 8mm camera. Check out photos here.

Photo by Brian Vernor

I can’t wait to see more from Brian Vernor‘s work with Blackburn Design. It’s nice to see touring gear shot in action and Big Basin ain’t a bad backdrop. I’ve got that touring itch once again. Thanks, Brian.

Now that’s a great looking bike. Gabe’s Pelican is ready to rip around town and then roll out into the mountains for some weekend camping. Check out more on the Box Dog Bikes Flickr.

Photo by Kyle Kelley

It’s been real fun hanging out with Jeff from All-City. We raced together, we partied together and even got sick together. Jeff knows how to live the life as the manager of a party brand. But sometimes it gets too much for him to handle. We were supposed to go touring but the urban #campvibes got the best of him.

Don’t worry Salsa, this is an urban adventure. Thanks to Grandpasaurus Rex for the photo.

The Napsack from Poler is one of my favorite products in their catalog. Find out why through this video.

Photo by Brian Vernor

Brian’s got the best mix of work and play. Case in point, his latest assignment for Blackburn. Head over to his Making Blog to read up.

See larger here / photos from Jon’s, Ross’ and my Instagram feeds

What can I say? I was jamming out to Weedeater during this ride and the title “God Luck and Good Speed” just stuck. We woke up at 6am on Friday and hammered it out to Colorado Bend State Park in Bend, TX. The first day was 118 miles and 4,900′. Initially, I was planning on taking us through 2222 and the hills on the east side of Lake Travis but we found 71 to 281 was actually quite pleasant with the lack of traffic. Doing so shaved off 3,000′ of elevation and after we rolled in on the 8-mile long gravel park-access road on Friday afternoon, I don’t think anyone regretted it.

The gear we packed was light. I brought the Woodville out with two panniers, a tent and my handlebar bag. Jon took a backpack and tarps and Ross was packing the lightest with about 15 lbs. Camping at C.B.S.P. is “primitive” but it’s exactly what we all needed. We cooked and hauled our own food, slept until dawn and consumed far fewer calories than we burned. We woke up Saturday and hiked about 15 miles to Gorman falls before dipping into some lagoons. It was amazing.

Yesterday was a different story. The climb out of the park was made worse by the hour-long torrential downpour. I had a rain jacket, Ross and Jon did not. They were shivering by the time we made it to the first outpost. Shit coffee and loaner wool made it bearable. As well as the local’s commentary: “ya’ll been feeshin’?” “no we’re riding back to Austin” “….” From there, we made great time, save for the flats and stops for food. I pulled hard and I’m feeling it now. There were a few stretches where we pace-lined it for over 10 miles and well over 25mph. We reeled in 116 miles and 4,100′.

My legs hurt for the first time since my “walkabout” in he Aussie bush.

Here’s to the first of many summer-time weekenders. More to come once my film gets developed.

How was your weekend?