Our accomplishments in 2020

2020 was a challenging year for countless reasons, but here at Bikepacking Roots, we have continued to expand our capacity to have a positive impact on and for the bikepacking community. Here's a quick look back at just some of what we accomplished this past year with the support from our many members and business partners.

Creating the BIPOC Bike Adventure Grant Program
• We created this grant program as a first step to help address inequitable access to the bikepacking experience. Together with our members, we raised more than $50,000 for the grant fund.
• Hired BIPOC adventure cyclists for a panel to guide the application process and select the first round of recipients Nearly 100 applications were received for this first round.
• This program will continue to grow in 2021 with new initiatives.

Enabling More Kids to go Bikepacking
• We partnered with the  National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s (NICA) to create an extensive curriculum for their new Bikepacking Camps program
• Camps will begin nationwide in 2021!

Release of the Bears Ears Loops Network
• 700 miles of exceptional riding through one of the Colorado Plateau’s most threatened landscapes
• Our 100-page route and landscape guide connects riders to the stories, culture, sociopolitical background, and uniqueness of the Bears Ears Region and confidently and safely experience the Utah desert

Continued on other Route Development Projects
• 40+ Route Test Team volunteers were out on the Northwoods Route providing feedback, building awareness of the new route in communities along the way, and identifying cyclist-friendly businesses
• The Orogenesis Route is entering a new phase of development to fill small gaps in the 3,500-mile-long route. That involves coordinating with regional mountain bike advocacy groups and land managers to resurrect old trails and build several new singletrack connectors.
• The Intermountain Connectors between the Western Wildlands Route and the Great Divide MTB Route are nearly complete!
• Jan Bennett continues with final refinements to the Pony Express Route
• We are supporting Navajo Y.E.S.' work on the new Chuska MTB Route on Navajo Nation with grant funds received from the Mountain Bike Association of Arizona

Advocating for Bikepackers, Public Lands, and Wild Places
• In 2020, we engaged in widespread advocacy efforts and contributed to maintaining backcountry mountain bike access to the Lionhead area of Idaho
• We also launched the Undivided educational advocacy column for The Radavist

Positive Impact Bikepacking Stewardship Campaign
• BPR launched this collaborative project with the Conservation Lands Foundation and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, supported by Salsa Cycles
• Educational outreach to the bikepacking community begins in  early 2021

We're Continuing to Grow, Diversify, and Engage the Community!
• Our first Go Bikepacking! event filled up almost immediately but was canceled due to the pandemic
• Let's Go Bikepacking! We have three Go Bikepacking! events planned for 2021, tentatively planned for Idaho, Arizona, and Arkansas: community, education, stewardship, and fun!
• Membership grew by approximately 50% in 2020 to more than 6,000 individuals
• We've added a small group of policy and cultural advisors
• Our Board of Directors expanded with an emphasis on increasing diversity; 50 applications were received!

Join or donate today! Help us continue to support the bikepacking community and the places through which we ride in 2021 and beyond . . .