Kipkirui is our first remote employee, based out of Kenya. Kip (as we call him) does copywriting for our products, product categories and bikepacking guides. He also uploads and organizes new products into our system. Kip has been getting increasingly into more epic cycling over the last five years, enjoying long road and gravel cycling near his home in the outskirts of Nairobi. We’ve been excited to work with Kip as he prepares to give bikepacking a try soon.
Beyond cycling, Kip is a lawyer who enjoys doing pro bono work in his community. Kip is a gamer, a chess player and practices Jiu-Jitsu. We’re grateful to have Kip around sharing his perspective, charm, good humor and dedication to success.
Someone was watching – April. 28, 2025
During the MTB race two weeks ago, we rode through a remote area known for its hyena population and it added some wild energy to the ride. Locals told us that farmers here rely on electric fences and regular patrols to protect their livestock from these sharp-toothed visitors.
Here’s a shot of one curious hyena keeping an eye on us as we pedaled through its turf. They’re way bigger than you’d expect—and honestly, a little too clever for comfort!
Bit by the Camping Bug – April. 21, 2025
My first camping trip a few weeks ago was just so much fun. The night hit us with a heavy downpour and I worried about getting soaked, but my Big Agnes Copper Spur tent held up perfectly.
The color-coded clips and buckles made setup simple for a rookie like me, and the oversized ceiling pocket kept my gear organized. I also loved the media pockets near the sleeping area for taming earbud cords, and the dual-zippers. If my partner ever caves to my camping invites, we’ll see if it can fit 2 people. So far, I am twelve rejections deep— her dedication to staying indoors is tougher than my tent’s waterproofing.
Camping surprised me. Fresh air, the sound of rain on the tent, and a surprisingly comfortable setup made me a believer. The tent’s reliability turned a potential disaster into a memorable adventure, and I’m eager to get back out there.
The Wild XC MTB Event– April. 14, 2025
I had a fun time taking part in a local MTB race last week. The terrain was a sloggy mudfest, making all of us earn every mile and climb. Beyond the race, it was fantastic seeing so many cyclists genuinely having a blast on the trails and admiring each other’s rigs.
The Timberjack was definitely a head turner. I look forward to taking part in more of these events!
A Multisport Campfire – April. 07, 2025
Over the weekend, I was part of a fantastic mountain bike race and campout. The evening before the race, we gathered around a crackling fire, swapping stories with seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. Trail-hardened hikers, long-distance cyclists, and endurance runners shared tales of their adventures. Listening to their passion for the outdoors was equal parts inspiring and humbling.
Adventure Ready – March. 31, 2025
As I approach my first camping experience, I dug out my Big Agnes tent, and started scrolling through setup tutorials on Youtube. Excited to pitch it and let it shield me from wind, rain, or whatever the sky cooks up. Let’s go!
Just a scratch – March. 24, 2025
I was out on a full-day ride without my trusty gloves, and my hands paid the price gripping stock MTB grips all day. Think it’s finally time to treat myself to these Ergon grips I’ve been eyeing!
The Wild XC Bike Race – March. 17, 2025
Excited for the upcoming Wild Lukenya XC MTB Race on April 6th, hosted by the awesome crew at Pedalwise—a cycling group I recently joined! It’s shaping up to be a fun day with some great riding, camping, and a chill campfire hangout later on which I’m really looking forward to.
Love seeing the Kenyan cycling scene grow, and stoked to be part of it!
Bike-Sitting for Alee & Laura – March. 10, 2025
Since our first ride together in Karura, Alee and Laura have tackled the Kenya Bikepacking Odyssey and wrapped up another leg of their African tour. With some well-earned downtime ahead, they needed a spot to store their bikes—and I was more than happy to help. Now, I’ve got two incredibly well-traveled bikes parked in my living room!
It’s been awesome following their journey, and I can’t wait to hear what’s next for them once they hit the road again. Until then, their bikes are in safe hands!
Follow their adventures on YouTube: youtube.com/@CyclingAbout
And check out their website for more: cyclingabout.com
Sisters’ Day out – March. 03, 2025
I took a break from biking to hit the national park with my sisters—our thing every year. We hiked, ate way too many snacks, and joked around like always. I might’ve mentioned how cool it’d be to bike those trails someday… got some eye-rolls and a “Here we go again.” But , I’ve got patience. Next time, I’m hiding a bike behind a tree!
Novida – February. 24, 2025
My deep dive into Kenyan soft drinks continues and today’s feature is Novida—the apple-flavored malt drink I rarely buy but love. It’s pricier than your average soda, so I don’t grab it often but after grinding out a long ride or hitting a personal best? That’s when I crack one open. I consider it my overpriced (yet delicious) trophy for surviving the grind. What’s yours?
Quick dip – February. 17, 2025
One of the best parts of making new cycling friends is learning about their favorite routes. Over the weekend i was shown a cool route with great climbs and a nice stream to cool the heels in mid-ride.
Simon’s Timberjack experience – February. 10, 2025
I handed over my trusty Salsa Timberjack to my buddy Simon for a local mountain bike race, and he absolutely crushed it out there! The Timberjack lived up to its name, shredding trails like a champ while Simon had the time of his life. Here’s a pre-race shot of him and the Timberjack.
CyclingAbout – February. 03, 2025
Alee and Laura from CyclingAbout finally made it to Kenya on their African bike tour, and I had the privilege of showing them around Nairobi—starting with one of my favorite bike trails, Karura Forest. We had an absolute blast riding, chatting, and swapping stories. These two have seen it all—from getting their gear stolen in Botswana to pushing through endless sand dunes.
Karura didn’t disappoint, and it was amazing to share this little slice of Kenya with them. I can’t wait to take them on more adventures and show them even more of what this country has to offer!
Follow their journey on YouTube: youtube.com/@CyclingAbout
And check out their website for more: cyclingabout.com
Baobab Breaks – January. 27, 2025
There’s nothing like a cycling break under a baobab tree. Each one’s a unique, natural rest stop offering shade and respite from the scorching sun. And if you’re lucky, you might even find a baobab fruit or two to snack on.
I know that bike! – January. 20, 2025
While watching a show recently, I couldn’t help but notice that the protagonist, rides a gravel bike that looks strikingly similar to the Salsa Journeyer. Turns out, it was! It’s funny how working on the Campfire catalog has turned me into the guy who spots bike brands during movie night—much to my girlfriend’s headshakes!
P.S- The show is Rebel Ridge on Netflix
To more Grouprides! – January. 13, 2025
I recently got invited to a group ride over the weekend after a chance encounter, and I was pretty stoked to join in. I usually ride solo since I’m more into non-competitive cycling, but these guys seemed to vibe with my style. The ride was awesome, and now I’m looking forward to doing more group rides with them. I think I might’ve just found my people!
All Hail the Sweetroll! – January. 6, 2025
I took the Revelate Sweetroll on my recent bike tour, and it worked out great. At 15L, it fit everything I needed—layers, snacks, and more—with room to spare. The double roll closure was super handy for grabbing stuff quickly, and the foam spacers kept it steady without messing with my cables. It rained a bit, but the waterproof material held up perfectly, keeping all my gear dry. It stayed stable on bumpy roads too, which was a big win.
Honestly, it’s just a solid bag that made the whole trip easier.