Bikepack Adventures Podcast

In the first episode of the Bikepacking Essentials series, brought to you by Panorama Cycles, hosts Chris Panasky and Carl Presseault introduce what bikepacking is and isn’t, using their miserable early attempt at a 400 km route that eventually grew into the Canadian Shield 400 to highlight common misconceptions.
They discuss how bikepacking overlaps with touring but often differs in mindset, terrain, planning needs, and self-reliance, especially when things go wrong far from easy fixes. The conversation covers misconceptions like expecting a free-flowing experience, assuming lighter gear is always better, and believing you need the perfect bike, emphasizing instead trust, durability, skills, and realistic expectations.
They also outline different bikepacking styles, from race-focused ultra-distance to weekend overnighters, expeditions, and credit-card approaches.
Join us Live on YouTube for episode 2 on Thursday, March 12 at 8pm EST where we will be discussing "Routes: Choosing Where to Go"
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures or
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures
Join the RideWithGPS Bikepack Adventures Club

Please consider using these affiliate links to help cover the costs of running the show.
Redshift Sports
Panorama Cycles

Find Carl at:
Instagram: @fork_sauce

Find me at…
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
ITUNES
Show Sponsors
Panorama Cycles --> They believe that cycling is a catalyst for adventures, no matter how small they can be. No need to travel across the world or to be a seasoned athlete to live epic outdoors adventures.
Redshift Sports --> Redshift have focused on taking a different approach to product development - drawing on their own experiences and needs to create components that make a meaningful difference to the riding experience. Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkout.
Tailfin Cycling --> Tailfin Cycling is a technical bikepacking equipment company that really thinks outside the box when creating new bikepacking gear. They create long-lasting products that have been tested in every way imaginable.
Full Cycle Ottawa --> Full Cycle has been a staple in the Ottawa biking community since it opened its doors in 1994. Known for their passion for cycling, the team at Full Cycle isn’t just about selling bikes—they’re also avid riders themselves. They live by the motto "we ride what we sell and sell what we ride,".
BarYak Bikepacking --> BarYak was designed in 2012 to solve the problem of bikepacking bags and systems that interfered with braking and shifting performance. Where will Your BarYak Take You?
The Bert Shoe --> The pre and post activity shoe for bike-packers, hikers and other free spirits. Their shoe soles, crafted from recycled rubber, represent a harmonious blend of sustainability and social responsibility.
Ride With GPS --> Driven by pursuit of a better riding experience, founders Zack Ham and Cullen King set out to redefine the way cyclists create, navigate, and share routes.

So excited to announce a new podcast series. I had been thinking for some time that it would be a good idea to record a series of episodes that address some Bikepacking Essentials. I also wanted to do it with a co-host and am stoked to have Carl Presseault joining me for the entirety.
I'm also pleased to have Panorama Cycles sponsoring the series. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.
The plan is to record episodes weekly on YouTube Live, giving listeners a chance to participate and engage. See you on Thursday, 8pm EST on YouTube at Bikepack Adventures
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures or
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures

Join the RideWithGPS Bikepack Adventures Club

Use these affiliate links to help cover the costs of running the show.
Redshift Sports
Panorama Cycles

Find me at…
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
ITUNES
Show Sponsors
Panorama Cycles --> They believe that cycling is a catalyst for adventures, no matter how small they can be. No need to travel across the world or to be a seasoned athlete to live epic outdoors adventures.
Redshift Sports --> Redshift have focused on taking a different approach to product development - drawing on their own experiences and needs to create components that make a meaningful difference to the riding experience. Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkout.
Tailfin Cycling --> Tailfin Cycling is a technical bikepacking equipment company that really thinks outside the box when creating new bikepacking gear. They create long-lasting products that have been tested in every way imaginable.
Full Cycle Ottawa --> Full Cycle has been a staple in the Ottawa biking community since it opened its doors in 1994. Known for their passion for cycling, the team at Full Cycle isn’t just about selling bikes—they’re also avid riders themselves. They live by the motto "we ride what we sell and sell what we ride,".
BarYak Bikepacking --> BarYak was designed in 2012 to solve the problem of bikepacking bags and systems that interfered with braking and shifting performance. Where will Your BarYak Take You?
The Bert Shoe --> The pre and post activity shoe for bike-packers, hikers and other free spirits. Their shoe soles, crafted from recycled rubber, represent a harmonious blend of sustainability and social responsibility.
Ride With GPS --> Driven by pursuit of a better riding experience, founders Zack Ham and Cullen King set out to redefine the way cyclists create, navigate, and share routes.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most creative and community‑driven events in the bikepacking scene: Bangers Bikepacking. If you haven’t heard of it yet, imagine a weekend where teams of riders design their own routes, explore the North Okanagan, roll into checkpoints together, and then cap it all off by creating a three‑minute film that captures the spirit of their ride. It’s part adventure, part creativity challenge, and part celebration of the cycling community.
Joining me is Dean Dahl, the creator of Bangers and the mind behind Have A Good Ride, the platform that ties together his projects, events, and the ethos that fuels them. Dean has built something truly unique — an event that isn’t about racing or rankings, but about connection, exploration, and telling a story worth sharing.
We’re going to talk about how Bangers started, why it’s grown into such a beloved gathering, how the film‑festival twist came to be, and what makes this event so special for riders of all abilities and backgrounds.
So settle in, get comfortable, and let’s jump into the world of Bangers Bikepacking.
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures or
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures
Join the RideWithGPS Bikepack Adventures Club

Use these affiliate links to help cover the costs of running the show.
Redshift Sports
Panorama Cycles

Find them at:
Instagram: Bangers Bikepacking
YouTube: Have a Good Ride
Website: Have a good ride!

Find me at…
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
ITUNES
Show Sponsors
Panorama Cycles --> They believe that cycling is a catalyst for adventures, no matter how small they can be. No need to travel across the world or to be a seasoned athlete to live epic outdoors adventures.
Redshift Sports --> Redshift have focused on taking a different approach to product development - drawing on their own experiences and needs to create components that make a meaningful difference to the riding experience. Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkout.
Tailfin Cycling --> Tailfin Cycling is a technical bikepacking equipment company that really thinks outside the box when creating new bikepacking gear. They create long-lasting products that have been tested in every way imaginable.
Full Cycle Ottawa --> Full Cycle has been a staple in the Ottawa biking community since it opened its doors in 1994. Known for their passion for cycling, the team at Full Cycle isn’t just about selling bikes—they’re also avid riders themselves. They live by the motto "we ride what we sell and sell what we ride,".
BarYak Bikepacking --> BarYak was designed in 2012 to solve the problem of bikepacking bags and systems that interfered with braking and shifting performance. Where will Your BarYak Take You?
The Bert Shoe --> The pre and post activity shoe for bike-packers, hikers and other free spirits. Their shoe soles, crafted from recycled rubber, represent a harmonious blend of sustainability and social responsibility.
Ride With GPS --> Driven by pursuit of a better riding experience, founders Zack Ham and Cullen King set out to redefine the way cyclists create, navigate, and share routes.

Today on the Bikepack Adventures Podcast, I’m joined by someone whose appetite for challenge seems to grow with every expedition. James Benson‑King — known to many as Biking Viking Rides — is an adventurer, endurance cyclist, Guinness World Record holder, and a storyteller who uses his experiences to help others build the confidence to start their own journeys.
From riding 32,000 kilometres across the Americas, to pushing his limits on some of the toughest terrain on the planet, James has carved out a life defined by curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to step into the unknown. And now, he’s preparing for what may be his boldest undertaking yet: an expedition to Antarctica that will test every skill, every lesson, and every ounce of determination he’s built over years of adventure.
In this conversation, we dive into his background, the evolution of the “Biking Viking,” the mindset behind extreme endurance, the gear and planning that go into a polar expedition, and the stories that shaped him along the way. Whether you’re dreaming of your first overnight trip or planning your own big mission, James brings a mix of honesty, humour, and hard‑earned wisdom that I think you’re really going to enjoy.
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures or
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures
Join the RideWithGPS Bikepack Adventures Club

Use these affiliate links to help cover the costs of running the show.
Redshift Sports
Panorama Cycles

Find them at:
Instagram: @bikingvikingrides
YouTube: James Benson-King - YouTube
Website: Biking Viking Rides | Motivational Speaker

Find me at…
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
ITUNES
Show Sponsors
Panorama Cycles --> They believe that cycling is a catalyst for adventures, no matter how small they can be. No need to travel across the world or to be a seasoned athlete to live epic outdoors adventures.
Redshift Sports --> Redshift have focused on taking a different approach to product development - drawing on their own experiences and needs to create components that make a meaningful difference to the riding experience. Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkout.
Tailfin Cycling --> Tailfin Cycling is a technical bikepacking equipment company that really thinks outside the box when creating new bikepacking gear. They create long-lasting products that have been tested in every way imaginable.
Full Cycle Ottawa --> Full Cycle has been a staple in the Ottawa biking community since it opened its doors in 1994. Known for their passion for cycling, the team at Full Cycle isn’t just about selling bikes—they’re also avid riders themselves. They live by the motto "we ride what we sell and sell what we ride,".
BarYak Bikepacking --> BarYak was designed in 2012 to solve the problem of bikepacking bags and systems that interfered with braking and shifting performance. Where will Your BarYak Take You?
The Bert Shoe --> The pre and post activity shoe for bike-packers, hikers and other free spirits. Their shoe soles, crafted from recycled rubber, represent a harmonious blend of sustainability and social responsibility.
Ride With GPS --> Driven by pursuit of a better riding experience, founders Zack Ham and Cullen King set out to redefine the way cyclists create, navigate, and share routes.

In this episode of the Bikepack Adventures Podcast, I'm going LIVE with Robert Givens: Bikepacking Coach, Storyteller & Tour Divide Veteran.
Join us for an inspiring YouTube Live conversation with Robert Givens; a rider, mentor, and storyteller who has transformed decades of cycling experience into a mission to help others ride further, smarter, and with more purpose.
With 35 years of competitive cycling behind him and five years dedicated to the grit and logistics of bikepacking, Rob brings a rare blend of technical expertise, lived experience, and creative vision to the trail. As a two‑time Tour Divide participant, he knows exactly what it takes to prepare for, survive, and enjoy ultra-distance bikepacking adventures.
Today, Rob is the founder of ThruRider.Bike, where he coaches riders of all levels; from first‑time overnighters to athletes eyeing trans‑continental races. His coaching sits at the intersection of technology and adventure, drawing on his background in IT and video production to teach a unique skill: Near Real‑Time Travel Video Storytelling.
To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:
https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures or
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures

Join the RideWithGPS Bikepack Adventures Club

Use these affiliate links to help cover the costs of running the show.
Redshift Sports
Panorama Cycles

Find them at:
Instagram: @ThruRider25
YouTube: Thru-Rider - YouTube

Find me at…
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
ITUNES
Show Sponsors
Panorama Cycles --> They believe that cycling is a catalyst for adventures, no matter how small they can be. No need to travel across the world or to be a seasoned athlete to live epic outdoors adventures.
Redshift Sports --> Redshift have focused on taking a different approach to product development - drawing on their own experiences and needs to create components that make a meaningful difference to the riding experience. Use code BPA15 to save 15% at checkout.
Tailfin Cycling --> Tailfin Cycling is a technical bikepacking equipment company that really thinks outside the box when creating new bikepacking gear. They create long-lasting products that have been tested in every way imaginable.
Full Cycle Ottawa --> Full Cycle has been a staple in the Ottawa biking community since it opened its doors in 1994. Known for their passion for cycling, the team at Full Cycle isn’t just about selling bikes—they’re also avid riders themselves. They live by the motto "we ride what we sell and sell what we ride,".
BarYak Bikepacking --> BarYak was designed in 2012 to solve the problem of bikepacking bags and systems that interfered with braking and shifting performance. Where will Your BarYak Take You?
The Bert Shoe --> The pre and post activity shoe for bike-packers, hikers and other free spirits. Their shoe soles, crafted from recycled rubber, represent a harmonious blend of sustainability and social responsibility.
Ride With GPS --> Driven by pursuit of a better riding experience, founders Zack Ham and Cullen King set out to redefine the way cyclists create, navigate, and share routes.