Episode 39 | Matt Mason on Bikepacking and Public Lands, Part I
The extended video version of this podcast episode is available to Unlimited Members.
- The extended video version of this podcast episode is available to Unlimited Members for free as part of their membership. Become an Unlimited Member »
- You must be logged in with your Unlimited Membership account to see the extended video version of this podcast episode here. Login Now »
Stream
Summary
In today’s podcast, we are joined by Matt Mason. Matt is a multi-hyphenate adventurer and backpacker turned bikepacker. Our chat functions as kind of a Bikepacking 101 class, so if you’ve been thinking of taking up the sport but don’t know where to start, this is a great entry point. We also talk about Matt’s efforts at public land advocacy in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
Outline
- the superiority of long beards
- from backpacking to bikepacking
- the similarities between the two sports
- bike riding is just fun!
- how to avoid feeling overwhelmed as you start bikepacking
- areas to put bags on your bike
- Voile straps are handy!
- Relevate Designs and Orltieb both make ready-to-go frame bags
- Rogue Panda makes custom frame bags
- try to avoid carrying a backpack
- don’t let your current bike stop you from bikepacking
- what types of bikes work for mountain biking
- gearing and drivetrains
- a general description of an ideal garage-sale bikepacking bike
- gears vs. single-speed
- bikepacking.com is a great resource
- Matt’s go-to bike brands for bikepacking – Surly and Salsa
- Where to buy a great used bike? Try Pinkbike!
- a little background on the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
- Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is a non-profit doing great work in the area
- Matt is hoping for a National Scenic Trail designation
- ranching on public lands
- timeline for future plans
- follow along with the Monumental Loop on Instagram and Facebook
- Matt’s advice to both backpackers and bikepackers
- footwear advice
About the Backpacking Light Podcast
Subscribe
- Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
More Episodes
Feedback, Questions, Tips?
- Submit them via email or Twitter and get featured on our next podcast!
Credits
- Backpacking Light - Executive Producer
- Ryan Jordan - Director and Host
- Chase Jordan - Producer
- Look for Me in the Mountains - Music
- Written by: Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan
- Performed by: Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin).
- Produced by: Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana
Contact
You can contact us at [email protected], or follow us on social media -
- Backpacking Light - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
- Ryan Jordan - Instagram | Twitter | WWW
- Chase Jordan - WWW
Disclosure
(Updated April 9, 2024)
- Product mentions: Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated/discounted products in exchange for product mentions or placements in editorial coverage, including podcast episode content not excplicitly identified as sponsored content.
- Some (but not all) of the links in these show notes may be affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and visit one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently place an order with that retailer, we receive a commission on your entire order, which varies between 3% and 15% of the purchase price. Affiliate commissions represent less than 15% of Backpacking Light's gross revenue. More than 70% of our revenue comes from Membership Fees. So if you'd really like to support our work, don't buy gear you don't need - support our consumer advocacy work and become a Member instead.
- Learn more about affiliate commissions, influencer marketing, and our consumer advocacy work by reading our article Stop wasting money on gear.
