top of page


Review: Mercier Kilo GRX Gravel Touring Bike
The Mercier Kilo GRX gravel bike is my choice for rural area roads and Rail Trail riding. It is also perfect for light and fast bikepacking. Read the review and the modifications to ready this gravel bike for varied adventures.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
14 hours ago6 min read


UPDATE: the Hybrid Gravel Bike Goes #Bikepacking!
My riding styles require a hybrid bike for gravel roads and lite bikepacking. This article details the process of building this versatile bike for the varied conditions and the few updates after a year of varied riding.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
7 days ago3 min read


Review: BEST Value ADV Motorcycle Panniers | Bulletproof Soft Panniers for LESS than Half Price!
I found the BEST soft panniers for ADV riding - BUT they required a simple modification ($10.00 and 15 minutes) to make them bulletproof! Learn full details!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Sep 135 min read


Bikepacking Gravel Roads: Minocqua to Marshfield (Overnight Hammock Camping!)
My idea of FUN is #bikepacking on lightly traveled gravel roads, away from the tourist traffic, through scenic northern and central Wisconsin! Learn about the gravel bike, my preparation, and hammock camping overnight on this adventure!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Sep 45 min read


The EASY Way to Add Water Bottle Mounts to Your Bicycle
Need additional mounts for water bottles or bikepacking gear? Learn how to securely add bottle cage mounts to the frame or fork of your bike.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Jun 45 min read


REVIEW: Pirelli Cinturato M Gravel Tires | Light Bikepacking Tubeless Tires
Full review of the Pirelli Cinturato tires for gravel biking and bikepacking, including tubeless conversion tips!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
May 225 min read


Review: Poseidon Dropbar Redwood
Poseidon Redwood review: I will give you my opinion of this versatile bike after a year of mixed riding, tours, and a gravel grinder race!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Nov 20, 20249 min read


Ride Report: SBC 6061 All Road Gravel Bike
The SBC 6061 gravel bike is a TRUE value. State Bicycle Company offers a "race ready" bike AND many optional upgrades for bikepacking.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Nov 19, 20248 min read


Outfitting the Priority 600ADX for Bikepacking Adventures!
This article covers the FIVE main steps to preparing your new Priority 600ADX for bikepacking adventures. No, it's not ready out of the box!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Nov 12, 20248 min read


Priority 600ADX Frame Bag Review | Bikepacking Necessity
EVERY bikepacking rig needs a frame bag. This review article fits a frame bag to the new Priority 600ADX, including custom modifications.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Oct 31, 20244 min read


Review of the Priority Bicycles P600ADX – Part Two
Part Two of this series completes the review of the Priority P600ADX and compares the improvements over the original 600X and the P600.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Oct 30, 202410 min read


Priority Bicycles 600ADX Review – Part One
Randy shares his personal experience with the Priority P600 and P600X and reviews the NEW P600ADX after decades of touring and bikepacking.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Oct 26, 202410 min read


Priority Bicycles Discontinues the 600X “Adventure”; Introduces the NEW 600ADX!
Priority Bicycles discontinues the 600X and introduces the IMPROVED 600ADX! Learn about ALL the design features of this bikepacking machine!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Oct 3, 20246 min read


Secret Covered Bridge: Motorcycle Camping Gravel Scramble
Overnight, mixed gravel and highway scrambler motorcycle hammock camping trip. Packing tips and meal prep for Sub 24-hour Overnight camps.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Aug 29, 20249 min read


Walking Tacos – FAST and EASY to Prepare at Home and On the Road.
Walking tacos are a great meal that is fast to prepare and tasty. Enjoy at home or prepare in advance for camping. Here's the EASY way!

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Aug 20, 20244 min read


Randy's Favorite Home and Camp Breakfast: Cold-Soaked Oats.
Cold-soaked oats are simple to prepare, nutritious and inexpensive. This breakfast is my favorite at home and in camp, with tasty variations

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Aug 5, 20245 min read


Bikepacking the Marshfield Mondeaux Loop | Wisconsin Gravel Bike Camping Route (Day 2)
A 156-mile Wisconsin gravel bikepacking loop from the farm country to the national forest. Hammock camping in the cool, Spring rains.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
May 25, 20247 min read


Bikepacking the Marshfield Mondeaux Loop | A Wisconsin Gravel Bike Camping Route
Central and northern Wisconsin has thousands of miles of prime gravel roads for bikepacking. This report covers three days of soggy riding.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
May 11, 202411 min read


Green Guru Fullshift Frame Bag Review | Bikepacking Necessity
The frame bag is a bikepacking necessity. Over rough trails, the most gear is held securely at the best balance point on the bike.

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Apr 24, 20244 min read


Outfitting the Bikepacking Bicycle for Adventure! Necessary "Options"!
A bikepacking bicycle requires MANY added parts and accessories before it is ready for your first trip! Many choices need to be made...

Randy Reek, The Great Out There
Apr 15, 20246 min read
bottom of page