Techno[tes]

The dreaded sliced sidewall! Sooner or later, anyone who rides rocky trails or rougher gravel roads is bound to suffer from a slice in a tire too big for plugs.

After a packed winter of coaching cyclocross in Europe, I wasn’t feeling quite dialed in for the kind of high-level prep that the Lifetime Grand Prix gravel race demands. Instead, I chose to line up for the Fuego XL MTB race — a race I was excited about, a little more within reach for where I was at in my training this time of year and that fits well with my objectives in the second half of the year.

"Did I work a bit too much? Possibly, but damn do I love racing my bike." - Alexey Vermuelen

Read on for the full recap!

In the latest Backcountry Bike Repair episode, Kait Boyle and Kurt Refsnider walk through how to plug punctures and pinch flats that are too large to seal with sealant.

In June 2025, Dillen Maurer of Baphomet Biclcyes will set out on the grand depart of the Tour Divide with dozens of able-bodied cyclists in the hopes of completing the 2700+ mile route from Banff, Alberta, Canada to Antelope Wells, New Mexico at the United States/Mexico border. If he completes this goal, he will be the first amputee to have done so.

Click through to read more about Dillen, his journey, and how you can help support his ride and the Range of Motion Project (ROMP).

Episode 2 is all about the all-important repair kit. The tools and spare parts you carry, combined with the skills to use these items, should be able to remedy most any commonly-encountered trailside mechanical problem. In this episode of the Backcountry Bike Repair series, Kait and Kurt walk you through what they carry in their repair kits, from the “basic” kit for close-to-home frontcountry rides to the “comprehensive” kit for bigger rides and the “expeditionary” kit for remote and long adventures.

Exploring the unlimited potential of backcountry trails for mountain bikers, Kurt and Kait share a diverse calendar of events, adventures, and projects spanning down-country and enduro style stage racing, self-supported ultras, trail initiatives, trail traverses of the Continental Divide, and the Iditarod Sled Dog route. Kurt and Kait also co-founded Bikepacking Roots, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to bikepacking, and are active advocates for landscapes, backcountry trails, and climate. 

Georgia grew up in Whistler, British Columbia and spent her winters snowboarding and summers out of Whistler. It wasn’t until she discovered the bike park at 16 that she finally stuck around town and would become completely hooked on biking. She started coaching the local after school program, and worked in the park, while juggling other jobs and racing to keep the dream alive.

Born and raised on the North Shore of Vancouver Island, Steve has channeled his passion for the sport into creating lines that push his riding, creativity and building skills. He strives to bring the community together through bikes and is always keen to ride with anyone. See you on the trails!