Friday Debrief #209: The Latest in Bikepacking Gear and Events
This week’s Friday Debrief brings you the latest in bikepacking gear, events, and community news. Here’s what’s new:
New Gear Releases
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Strawberry Milkshake CrankTank: Adventure Hydration has introduced a limited edition of their CrankTank hydration system in a vibrant strawberry milkshake color. This system offers 3L or 4L of water storage and attaches securely to nearly any bike without causing leg rub.
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Sea to Summit Ultralight XR Insulated Sleeping Pad: Sea to Summit’s latest sleeping pad is 14% lighter, 30% thicker, and 16% more insulative than its predecessor. With an R-value of 3.6 and weighing 415 grams, it’s available in small, regular, and large sizes.
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Revel Rover in Glow Bug and Ultra Miami: Revel Bikes has unveiled two limited edition colors for their Rover gravel bike: Glow Bug and Ultra Miami. These models feature Revel’s first-ever metal head badge and the latest SRAM XPLR AXS build kits.
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Arcade Adventure Mag Belt: Arcade Belts introduces the Adventure Mag Belt, utilizing “SWIFTLOCK” technology for a magnetic buckle that offers one-handed ease and high tensile strength. Available in two styles and five colors.
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Kona Launches New Dew Completes: Kona has updated their Dew models, featuring aluminum and steel frames, Shimano ESSA drivetrains, and approachable geometry. The Dew, Dew DL, and Dr Dew models cater to various cyclist levels.
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Mason Sensor Ti Seatpost: Mason Cycles’ new titanium seatpost offers a smooth curve leading up to the saddle rails, providing 20mm of setback. It’s available in 27.2 and 31.6mm diameters and a single 350mm length.
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Nocs “Parks Project” Sycamore Camo Binoculars: Nocs Provisions, in collaboration with Parks Project, has released a limited-edition “Sycamore Camo” binocular bundle. Each purchase supports the preservation of America’s public lands.
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Velo Orange Restocks Goldfinger Paint: Velo Orange has restocked their Goldfinger paint, ideal for covering nicks and scratches on bike frames.
Community News
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Save the Kettle Valley Rail Trail: The Province of British Columbia plans to decommission approximately 67 kilometers of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. A petition has been created to save it, with over 7,000 signatures.
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Bikepacking Canada: The Yukon – Land of the Midnight Sun: Jake Thomas continues his North-to-South bikepacking trip across Canada, documenting remote riding in the Yukon.
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Bikepacking Campout at Sea Otter Classic with Old Man Mountain: Old Man Mountain is hosting a Bikepacking Campout at the Sea Otter Classic from April 16–19, 2026. The campout is free to attend, with camping passes available for $80 per person.
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Northern Minnesota Gravel Ride Guide: Cook County: Bryan Hansel has created a gravel guidebook for Cook County, Minnesota, featuring 27 hand-picked routes with detailed maps and insights.
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Help Fund the Stagecoach 400 Video Series: Filmmaker Gregg Dunham is seeking funding for a five-part documentary series on the Stagecoach 400. The campaign is 85% funded, with two weeks remaining.
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Süfur Cycles’ 32-Inch Wheels and More: Süfur Cycles’ Rufus Wenlock discusses his first production bike, experiences with 32-inch wheels, and a new “The Magic Touch” T-shirt.
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Kona’s 2026 Team Program: Kona has announced their 2026 team program, consisting of three teams: the Ride Team, Test Team, and Kona Entourage. The lineup includes familiar names, such as Francesco and Giorgio of Montanus.
Upcoming Events
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Reset Brevet: The Reset Brevet is an unsupported bikepacking event exploring Central Otago’s terrain in New Zealand. The third edition begins on the shores of Lake Wānaka, offering 550 or 370-kilometer routes.
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Iditarod Trail Invitational: The Iditarod Trail Invitational is the world’s longest winter ultra marathon by fat bike, foot, and ski, following the historic Iditarod Trail from Knik to Nome. This year, there are three route options: 150, 350, and the full 1,000-mile route.
Weekly Social
This week, an unexpected and creative use of Lucas’s “Ode to Maintenance” piece and a few items from the OMM blemish sale.
For more details on these topics and the latest in bikepacking, visit BIKEPACKING.com.