{"id":709160,"date":"2026-07-24T17:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/709160\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T17:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:11:18","slug":"friday-debrief-231-bikepacking-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/709160\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday Debrief #231 – BIKEPACKING.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week\u2019s Debrief features a deep black Surly Bridge Club, collapsible bottles from Restrap, Snow Peak\u2019s stacking mug set, a tiny inflator, reduced eeSilk pricing, new Moots apparel, fresh bikepacking videos, a few events to follow live, and more. Find it all here\u2026<\/p>\n

The weekly Debrief highlights small but important bits of news, products, and things that caught our attention on the website, in the conversation, and elsewhere around the community. These include upcoming events and interesting items our readers shared in the comments. Check out this week\u2019s findings below.<\/p>\n

Bits & Bobs<\/p>\n

New products that are worth highlighting but didn\u2019t make the Dispatch\u2026<\/p>\n

Restrap Soft Flask<\/p>\n

$\u20ac18.99\/$23.99 at Restrap<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Restrap<\/a><\/p>\n

The Restrap Soft Flask is a collapsible 500ml hydration bottle designed to fit the brand\u2019s hydration vests and offer a more compact alternative to traditional water bottles. Made from flexible MPE material, it features a twistable angled bite valve with a locking nozzle to prevent leaks, making it suitable for drink mixes or concentrated sports nutrition. Because it compresses as you drink, it eliminates sloshing and packs down small when empty, making it useful for bikepacking or even tossing in a jersey pocket for a short afternoon ride.<\/p>\n

Surly Bridge Club Now in Squid Ink<\/p>\n

Made in Taiwan \/ $1,600 at Surly Bikes<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Surly<\/a><\/p>\n

In tandem with the re-release of the Big Dummy this week, Surly has dropped a new color for their beloved Bridge Club. Now in Squid Ink, it\u2019s a deep black that has a hint of blue when the light hits it just right. At $1,600 complete, it\u2019s still a screaming deal in 2026. <\/p>\n

Cane Creek Reduces Prices on eeSilk Products<\/p>\n

Made in the USA \/ $150-200 at Cane Creek<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cane<\/a><\/p>\n

Cane Creek recently issued a permanent price reduction across all eeSilk products. The reduction comes after they identified cost as the main barrier to entry for these comfort-focused products. The new pricing is as follows: eeSilk Stem SL is $150, and the CS stem and eeSilk+ alloy seatpost are both $200.<\/p>\n

Snow Peak Summer Stacking Mug Set<\/p>\n

$109 at Snow Peak<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Snow<\/a><\/p>\n

For those looking to get a little fancy at camp, Snow Peak\u2019s limited-edition summer mug set could be just the ticket. The set includes two titanium mugs, the H300 and H450, each made from ultralight Japanese titanium in a brilliant Jade color. They\u2019re also double-walled for better insulation.<\/p>\n

Moots x Ocean & San Collection<\/p>\n

$45+ at Moots Cycles<\/a><\/p>\n

Titanium bike manufacturer Moots and apparel maker Ocean & San collaborated on a limited three-piece capsule collection that blends thoughtful performance with an easygoing approach to cycling. It includes a Moots-branded All Day Shirt, a lightweight DeltaPeak\u2122 UtiliTee, and a packable Pathfinder Hat.<\/p>\n

Outer Shell Berry Musettes<\/p>\n

Made in the USA \/ $50 at Outer Shell<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Outer<\/a><\/p>\n

Outer Shell has added a fun new color to their line of Magic Musettes, Very Berry. With a purplish-pink hue, it\u2019s a bold new color the brand is taking from the release of their Magic Tote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

New Alpenblow LUX<\/p>\n

Made in USA \/ $60 at Garage Grown Gear<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The Alpenglow Gear Alpenblow Lux is a compact USB-C-powered micro inflator that builds on the original Alpenblow with faster inflation, a new deflation port, and several camp-friendly features. In addition to inflating most sleeping pads in about two minutes, it doubles as a dimmable reading light, lantern, and white noise machine with ocean sounds and a candle-flicker mode. Weighing just 13.7 grams (0.5 ounces), it connects directly to USB-C phones or power banks and is compatible with Therm-a-Rest WingLock, NEMO, Sea to Summit, Exped, REI, and Big Agnes sleeping pads using the included nozzles.<\/p>\n

Calling In Sick Mag Long-Sleeve Tees<\/p>\n

$50 at Calling In Sick<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Calling<\/a><\/p>\n

Calling in Sick magazine has released a new long-sleeve T-shirt. Featuring a custom font, it\u2019s a great way to support the small, eclectic print magazine.<\/p>\n

In Conversation<\/p>\n

Exchanges and ideas that caught our attention in the site\u2019s conversation section\u2026<\/p>\n

What\u2019s in our Editor\u2019s Dozen Lists?
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We published two Editor\u2019s Dozen lists this week, adding to the catalog of this eight-year-old series<\/a> . These always showcase our editors\u2019 favorite gear and often include other miscellaneous highlights, like books, music, and experiences. In Logan\u2019s roundup, a couple of people noted that they appreciated the reflection on music recommendations. That got us wondering: What would you like to see more (or less) of in our next batch of Editor\u2019s Dozen lists? Let us know in the Conversation below.<\/p>\n

Around the Community<\/p>\n

News from around the bikepacking world\u2026<\/p>\n

The \u0160koda DuoBell is Designed Around Noise-Canceling Headphones<\/p>\n

A few months ago, Skoda\u2014the Czech car company\u2014released a bell design to the public that can supposedly be heard by pedestrians using noise-canceling headphones. For those who don\u2019t know, noise-canceling headphones work by playing a sound that matches the waves emitted by those around the user. While efficient, there are gaps. Skoda, with its origins in bikes, aimed to create a design that allows for bells to penetrate the frequency emitted by headphones, so commuters and cyclists of all kinds can be safer. It\u2019s an interesting concept, and one that other bell makers might benefit from given the rise of these kinds of headphones.<\/p>\n

Riding Three Ranges in Cowboy Country<\/p>\n

Matt Westfall\u2019s latest YouTube video offers a brilliantly shot look at a 12-day ride along our Three Ranges in Cowboy Country<\/a> route across Wyoming. Find an in-depth look at the nearly 600-mile route in the 22-minute video above.<\/p>\n

Albion x Sturdy: Experiments in Distance
\n\"Albion<\/a><\/p>\n

Albion and Sturdy Cycles have come together for another collaboration in an attempt to answer the question, \u201cHow far could you ride in 24 hours?\u201d They partnered to create a custom TT bike and a skinsuit to take on the iconic UK national 24 hour Championship, one of Britain\u2019s most demanding and historic cycling events. The race challenges riders to cover the greatest possible distance in a continuous 24-hour period on open roads. See the full bike and kit at AlbionCycling.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cycling Minnesota\u2019s Most Northern Roads<\/p>\n

In \u201cCycling Minnesota\u2019s Most Northern Roads,\u201d Justin You and friends pedal (and paddle) around the region near Grand Marias, on the shore of Lake Superior. Join for a 30-minute version of their journey in the video above. <\/p>\n

Events Starting Soon<\/p>\n

What to watch this weekend and bikepacking events starting soon\u2026<\/p>\n

Basajaun
\n\"Basajaun<\/a><\/p>\n

Organized by Transib\u00e9rica Ultracycling, Basajaun is a self-supported, long-distance gravel event on the edge of the Basque Country, in northern Spain. The event starts on July 26 at 8 a.m., and you can keep up on the live tracking map here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dark Divide
\n\"dark<\/a><\/p>\n

The Dark Divide 300 is a mixed-terrain cycling route that traverses the expansive ancestral lands of the Squaxin Island Tribe, Nisqually Tribe of Indians, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, through what is commonly known as the southern Cascade Mountain Range in Washington State. The event kicks off on July 30 at 7 a.m., and you can follow along live via Trackleaders here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jumbo Wild 600
\n\"jumbo<\/a><\/p>\n

Created by Svein Tuft, the inaugural Jumbo Wild 600 follows a challenging 669-kilometer route through the wild heart of British Columbia\u2019s Kootenays. The event starts on July 25th at 7 a.m. Find more details about it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wish We Were Here<\/p>\n

Shedding a little light on a route one of us is dreaming about riding at the moment\u2026<\/p>\n

Lucas Winzenburg: Ruta del Capitan Lemos, Chile
\n\"Ruta<\/a><\/p>\n

For as much as I\u2019m trying to focus on seeing more of my home region here in the Southwestern United States, for the second consecutive Friday, I find myself dreaming about trading the Rockies for the (Dry) Andes and pedaling one of our many spectacular South American routes. This time, it\u2019s the equally beautiful and demanding Ruta del Capitan Lemos<\/a> in Chile. Seeing regular contributor Mark Watson\u2019s striking images, it\u2019s hard to resist the pull to experience the ~200-mile route in person.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This week\u2019s Debrief features a deep black Surly Bridge Club, collapsible bottles from Restrap, Snow Peak\u2019s stacking mug…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":709161,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[173302,173298,173299,173303,50635,173300,50634,4985,101,173305,173301,387,56,54,55,173304],"class_list":["post-709160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-adventure-cycling","tag-bicycle-touring","tag-bike-touring","tag-bike-tours","tag-bike-packing","tag-bikepacking","tag-cycle-touring","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-stealth-camping","tag-touring-bikes","tag-travel","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-world-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/709160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=709160"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/709160\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/709161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=709160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=709160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=709160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}