Velorution Cycles / Bikepacking intro article

[joeydurango]

Hey All,

Not usually the type to plug anything but here's an exception.  I just started a small shop in Durango called Velorution Cycles and I'm specializing in - among other things - bikepacking.  After all, we are at the end of the likely-most-bikepacked trail in the world, and I obviously enjoy the endeavor myself.

Anyway, besides saying that if you're in Durango to stop in and check it out (I'd love to meet more like-minded individuals), I also wrote an intro-to-bikepacking type article for those who have really basic questions.  If you've a mind to, check it out at www.velorutioncycles.com - then click "etc.".  The article is on that page, along with a lot of other stuff you may enjoy!

Sorry for the shameless self-promo but I really did think the article would be helpful to many!

Happy Trails,
JoeyDurango

[mbeardsl]

Love the shop logo!

Nice primer for sure, well written.  I'd add some links to reputable references so people can learn more if they so desire.

If you are looking for critiques - 1) I'd also not be quite as dismissive of certain items like racks, although I understand you're trying to sell bags   Tying a bag to a rear rack made for that purpose can be just as good if not better than putting it higher up on the seatpost in terms of handling for instance. And while paniers may be too wide you do a lot with racks that wouldn't exceed the width of your hips/handlebars/etc. Pros and cons to both but a bit dismissive to say racks are bogus as a blanket statement.  2) I'd say the same thing for needing/wanting rain pants - I am generally soaked from sweat so they do nothign for me and often times make it worse.

[aaron w]

Joey your site looks great.  Great bikepacking primer too.  I strongly recommend anyone in Durango stop by Velorution Cycles to see Joey....great person who has been around the block a few times.

Regarding the rain pants thing, I have a 3/4 length pant that is open on the bottom.  They were cheap and are not very breathable, but with copious air flow up the leg is doesn't really matter.  For high alpine multi-day riding being soaked (from rain or sweat) could get bad quick.  For places where the rain is warmer I probably wouldn't care as much. 

[AZTtripper]

Joey

Looks good it's great to see a bike shop specializing in bikepacking. And utilitarian uses for bikes seems a no brainer in this economy lets face it gas prices ain't going down, not by much anyway, ever.

The primer looks good, I didn't see anything dismissive just stating proven facts. I have done the AZT from Mexico to Utah twice, once with a 70 lbs bike and once on one just under 40. To say that it's not possible to ride trails with a full racks and panniers set up might be pushing it, to say it is ineffective is spot on. For my second trip I still had a rear rack but just a small bag on top and that was a lot better. Now I run rackless I can carry the same gear with less bike weight overall and fewer things, the rack mainly, to break.

Good luck with your shop.

Tim

[joeydurango]

Hey guys,

Thanks for checking it out and for the feedback!  Mbeardsl, thanks for the constructive critiques - I wasn't trying to dismiss racks as much as just let people know what generally works best for most people, including myself.  And as I also specialize in traditional touring and expedition setups, I have plenty of racks and panniers in stock to sell as well... :-).  As always with anything, your mileage may vary.

Aaron, it's good to hear from you.  I've been ridiculously busy lately for obvious reasons but as winter gets longer I've been thinking a lot about the race last year and the folks I got to know while out there.  Hope things are going well in Salida!

Tim, I couldn't agree more.  The price of gas is just one of tons of reasons that bikes make sense!  That said, I'm still wistfully thinking about escaping to Tucson for the 24 in the Old Pueblo in a couple weeks... probably won't happen, but hey.

Cheers all,
Joey

[AZTtripper]

Joey the 24 is a shit show IMO you would be better off coming down for some good old AZT bikepacking.

While I have to agree with you on the CT being one of the more popular courses don't forget the AZTR is the longest single track race in the world.

[joeydurango]

Well, yeah, I've been thinking about the AZTR too.  Of course with the shop I haven't been on my bike much lately... seems ironic, now that I think about it.

[12wheels]

The website looks great and is easy to navigate.   Good luck.

[AZTtripper]

Well, yeah, I've been thinking about the AZTR too.  Of course with the shop I haven't been on my bike much lately... seems ironic, now that I think about it.

Yeah the full 750 would be a big undertaking along with just opening up a shop. I saw you plugged Fall River Botanicals I met Mark when he did the 750 in 2010 I know he wanted to come down last year but starting Fall River had to take priority.

Still there's lots of great riding especially the new stuff north of the Gila, lots of options for a 2-3 day epic.

I am still hoping to see the full AZTR go up to 800 miles closer to the length of the hikers route. Both of my tours, I'm Bikepackus Touristus mostly, included a section south of Payson that Scott has been leaving out. In 06 that section left me bloody and beelining it, on the Beeline highway, to Payson, I did go back to pick it up tho. That 06 course was 811 miles. That 06 trip was supposed to be the course Scott wanted to eventually use for the AZTR but that section is still one of the worst according to recent reports. Maybe by 2013.

[joeydurango]

Sounds sweet.  I've not done much riding in AZ.  Need to check it out... was thinking about the Coconino 250 as well.

As for the Fall River stuff, yep, it's great.  Maybe with a whole tube of Geronimo and some seriously wishful thinking I can do something big this summer...

[AZTtripper]

Yeah the Coco is a great one. If you can make it for all 4 days the stage stop version, unique to this race, offers a level of comrade that you don't usually get in a BP race.

Even if you don't get to do a lot of riding this season I should think the Coco would still be pretty doable. Based on past years numbers I would guess that it's one of the more doable routes. The first year half of the starters finished and the second we all completed a loop, even if some chose to skip a couple of pieces and got the DNF, and made all three stage stops.

Compared to the DNF rates for other BP races this one is quite attainable for most, I should think. 

Again good luck with the new shop.

Tim

[SlowDave]

Best of luck with the new business, your in for a wild ride.  I will make it a point to come by next time I am going through Durango.

dave