In February of this year, we announced our first-ever Adventure Sponsorship campaign. We hand-selected nine adventurers from around the world who were doing something epic and wanted to make something(s) just as epic to take with them. 

Each month between now and October, we'll do a spotlight on each maker's latest adventure and what they created!

See all 9 of our adventure sponsors HERE 

In this blog, you'll meet Myles Lucas and read all about his bikepacking trip on the Tour De Los Padres in California, USA.

Prefer to listen instead? Click HERE for our interview with Myles in Episode 16 of the Ripstop on the Record podcast

Alright, let's dig in!

Name: Myles Lucas 

Instagram: @mylesthelucas 

Location: California 

Bio: I'm 26 years old and live in San Luis Obispo, California. I've been riding and racing bikes of various disciplines most of my life, but mountain biking is what I enjoy the most. Just like most of us, I too love being outdoors, and I love the freedom that a bike provides and the satisfaction of doing it under your own power. When I'm not riding, I'm pretty much always making and tinkering. By day, I'm a prototype machinist for a bicycle component company, and then I also have a workshop where I get to work on all my other projects: welding, woodworking, cars and motorcycles - and most recently sewing!

I got into sewing a few years ago and couldn't have been more stoked about the things I can now make and fix. It's an amazingly practical skill and it's certainly something that I'm going to keep pursuing.

Adventure: Bikepacking an alternative route of the Tour De Los Padres  

Distance: ~190 miles

Details: Myles, his girlfriend (Katherine), and two of their friends set out from San Luis Obisbo CA and headed south. Taking a few minor roads before disappearing off onto the backcountry dirt roads. 

For the next three days they averaged 60-70 miles a day with a staggering 8,000-10,000 feet of climbing. Their ambition was rewarded by getting to ride across the Sierra Madre ridge, through the Carrizo Plain National Monument, and other stunning California scenery.

Scroll down to see all of Myles’ photos

It wasn’t enough to bikepack nearly 200 miles and almost run out of water. Myles made his own bikepacking equipment for the trip!

As a bike part machinist by day, and a frequent MYOGer, Myles designed and created five different bags to accommodate the equipment he needed to pack.

Perhaps one of the most impressive features of Myles’ work are the frames he built for the saddle bag and the fork bags. In fact, he custom welded brackets and frames to have the bags properly supported to eliminate bounce and sway while riding on off-road terrain.

See below for a gear and material breakdown:

Saddle bag 

      Materials: 2.92 oz Dyneema® Composite Fabric, 210D HDPE Gridstop, webbing

      Use: Storing clothes, and a sleeping bag

Fork Bags 

      Materials: X-Pac® VX15, 1000D Cordura®, Omni-Tape, webbing 

      Use: Storing food and camp equipment

Hydration Vest 

      Materials: 1000D Cordura®, webbing 

      Use: Carrying water

Feed Bags 

      Materials: X-Pac® VX15, 210D HDPE Gridstop, cord locks, webbing  

      Use: Storing food and high grab items

Handlebar Bag 

      Materials: Reused but resized old stuff sack 

      Use: Storing the sleep system

For many of us, the making doesn’t stop at the sewing machine. DIYers want to improve all areas that we can, not just equipment or base weight. In this way, Myles exemplifies what it means to be an MYOGer at heart. 

Next month, we'll hear from Bryce Gordon as he tackles the winter traverse of the Wind River High Route. Stay tuned!