13: Sarah Swallow - Bikepacking Route Creator, WTF Bike Explorers

Overland Archive Podcast

Adventure cyclist and bikepacking route creator Sarah Swallow joins me to discuss some of her published routes; The Trans America Trail and The Sky Islands Odyssey, as well as her event Ruta Del Jefe. The Sky Islands region is central in many different environmental and political issues including immigration and mining. Sarah has used the event to bring awareness to and raise money for non-profits fighting for these causes whilst simultaneously enhancing the experience and connection to the landscape for those riders tackling the route.
Sarah also shares some great insight on how she goes about creating routes and the resources she uses to do so.
We then discuss WTF Bike Explorers and some of the incredible work they are doing to make bikepacking and adventure cycling a more diverse, inclusive and accessible space for all people. From the WTF Bike Explorers summit, to their gravel racing team and their industry pledge, they have some great initiatives that are benefiting the sport and community of bikepacking in so many ways. Its well worth taking the time to do some further reading on the topic!
WTF Bikexplorers
Cycling Industry Pledge: https://wtfbikexplorers.com/cycling-industry-pledge
Guiding Principles: https://wtfbikexplorers.com/guiding-principles
Gravel Program: https://wtfbikexplorers.com/gravel-program
Ride Series: https://wtfbikexplorers.com/grassroots-ride-series
Ruta Del Jefe
Film: https://youtu.be/mnJHFxFjMrc
Event Website: https://sarahjswallow.com/ruta-del-jefe
Bike Routes
TAT (Trans America Trail): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/9275460
Sky Islands Odyssey: https://bikepacking.com/plan/sky-islands-odyssey/
Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer: https://bikepacking.com/routes/central-oregon-backcountry-explorer/
Elkhorn Crest Trail: https://bikepacking.com/routes/elkhorn-crest-trail/
Buckeye Trail: https://bikepacking.com/routes/buckeye-trail-bicycle-route/