Storm clouds are building as I write this. It just thundered, or a jet passed overhead. This is an exciting time of year for those of us in the desert, as hopes of a monsoon start to build. Cross your fingers.
We’re bringing you another collection of gear, events, and stories from around the internet, with the recent public lands news being a major highlight. We hope you’re all doing well wherever the summer may find you. Stay safe. Drink water.
Public lands escape sell-off
If you haven’t heard the good news yet, Senator Mike Lee’s plan to sell off over 3 million acres of public land has been definitively removed from proposed legislation. The measure had been temporarily removed and replaced with a smaller, though still significant, stand-in last week. For the moment, it seems that it’s well and truly no longer a threat.
For those not following along, and regardless of where you fall along the political spectrum, the proposed sell-off would have affected cyclists, hunters, hikers, anglers, birdwatchers, stargazers, and millions of people looking for a quiet break from time to time. Places as beloved as Sabino Canyon, Madera Canyon, the majority of the Catalinas, the Rincons, the entire range of the Pinaleños (Mount Graham), and many more beloved areas around the country would have been up for development.
While the news was dire for a while, and the threat could always return, I was reminded just how powerful and useful a tool social media can be to unify a large swathe of the country against a common interest. I’m thankful to my friends for re-sharing critical information, resources, and calls to action. The response from the bike industry at large was mediocre, but the folks at The Radavist, BIKEPACKING.COM, and a few brands (Juliana, Esker Cycles, State Bicycles to name a few) spoke up and took a stance. Social media can be a mess, for sure, but it’s also a catalyzing tool to unite us against greedy moves and bad intentions.
All of this left me feeling a little more hopeful and connected with a broader scope of the outdoor community. It’s easy to feel partisan when you’re pedaling up Reddington Pass or some other slice of dirt you feel entitled to. Big trucks, Mad Max-esque side-by-sides, gun ranges, people on gravel bikes, people on mountain bikes, them, them, them. We’re all just out there to enjoy what is perhaps our country’s best idea, and I’m glad to see us all come together in opposition to a doomsday possibility.
To keep tabs on the status of public lands at large, Outdoor Alliance is a great resource. Locally, we have organizations such as the Sky Island Alliance who advocate for the many threats to our Borderlands region. Give ‘em a follow. Keep your eyes open. Stay engaged.
More news!
- Passchier Gump Handlebars: Bamboo handlebars? Oh yeah! Flexible, stylish, and rated for a wide variety of riding. I’ve accidentally used a pair for singletrack overnighters (woops – not rated for MTB) and dirt road touring. Probably best for the latter.
- Coros Dura: $250 gets you solar charging, insane battery life, and all the usual metrics for your riding needs. On a recent tour, I got 11 riding days on a single charge! No other solar bike computer comes close to that for the cost.
- Nocs Zero Tube: An affordable, lightweight addition to your bikepacking setup for birding, spotting, and just looking around.
- Prism Pocket Flyer: Another little piece of gear to add some fun to your bike rides. I haven’t flown a kite in years, but this immediately grabbed my attention. Looking forward to timing breaks with the wind to fly this thing.
- Big Jim’s Boozy Bike Ride: A proper micro-adventure from the 1970s in the Scottish Highlands featuring hike-a-bikes and hidden bottles of whiskey.
- True Marmalade: Gotta give a shoutout to Erik’s interview with BIKEPACKING.COM. Friend of the shop who’s been on the road for a while now.
- North Bay Overnighter: Looking to escape the Tucson heat? A short flight to San Francisco, a few miles outside the city, and you can be pedaling with ocean views. Or wrapped in a marine layer of fog. Both a lovely respite. Pro tip: Some airlines now allow bikes as one of your checked bags – sometimes free, sometimes just a few bucks.
- The Sonoran Ultra Endurance Ride: A shameless plug for next year’s event on March 6, 2026. Get a little sneak peek here.
- Wildcard Bikepacking Rally: Unique event offering multiple ways to “win” and participate. Kind of like a supermarket dash or alley cat, but geared towards bikepacking and finishing the day camping with friends.
Leaving you with a scene from the North Bay Overnighter.
