Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
We acknowledge that individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) do not have enough representation on BIKEPACKING.com. To help change the face of bikepacking and empower aspiring BIPOC writers and creatives, we’ve developed the Bikepacking Collective Routes Access Fund.
In recognition of the immense value that diverse perspectives add to BIKEPACKING.com and the broader bikepacking community, the Access Fund is specifically for BIPOC individuals who have an interest in riding or developing bikepacking routes, or building a bikepacking community program. Given the unique obstacles these groups face due to generations of systemic racism and inequitable access to the outdoors, we’re committed to elevating BIPOC voices through inclusivity in route creation, storytelling, and knowledge sharing within this website, The Bikepacking Journal, and our social community.
In developing this fund, we’ve allocated $10,000 from Bikepacking Collective membership dues, aligned several gear partners, and are inviting brands and our readers to help grow the fund by making donations below, 100% of which will go directly to awardees. Within this fund are three initiatives:
- BIPOC Ride & Report Fund
- BIPOC ROUTE DESIGN FUND
- BIPOC Community Fund
Grants are available for BIPOC individuals who are interested in riding any existing BIKEPACKING.com route(s) and sharing their experience to inspire future riders, whether that’s working with our team to publish writing and photography, creating artwork, shooting a short video, designing a zine, being interviewed on our YouTube channel, etc. Support will come in the form of funding for trip-related expenses, including travel, gear, and daily needs while out on the route. Actual award amounts will depend on need and trip scope, but selected grantees should expect money to go toward riding a route of their choice. Based on need and availability, recipients may also receive a selection of essential bikepacking and camping gear from our outdoor industry partners.
Application deadline has ended.
Ride and Report grant applications will be accepted between July 15th and November 15th, 2020, for trips taking place in 2021. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of BIPOC judges, and awardees will be announced in early January, 2021.
- All BIPOC riders 18 or older are invited to apply. There are no restrictions on gender, nationality, or level of bikepacking experience. Prior digital storytelling experience is not a requirement.
- Grants are available to support trips along any existing BIKEPACKING.com route(s). Other routes not yet documented on the site may also be considered.
- Recipients may document and share their experiences in whatever way feels most suitable (or comfortable) for them, but applications should include a plan for how they may document the trip while traveling or upon completion of the route. Assistance with documentation gear may be a part of the fund, if necessary.
- Proposed trips should have a start date between January and December of 2021. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll work with awardees should trips need to be rescheduled.
- Awardees will act as ambassadors for BIKEPACKING.com and the wider outdoor adventure community.
As part of our larger Bikepacking Collective Routes Fund, we'd like to develop and support original bikepacking routes from BIPOC route designers. These could be overnight adventures close to home, weekend routes, or larger routes that span regions or continents. Through the BIPOC Route Design Fund, we’ll provide grants for trip-related expenses, plus a substantial investment of time and resources to help create guides and publish selected routes.
Application deadline has ended.
BIPOC Route Design Fund applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please provide some initial details about your proposed route using the form here.
- Routes may have a unique theme or concept. We will place a priority on routes that emphasize BIPOC history or heritage, conservation and environmental stewardship, humanitarian storytelling, and advocacy of lands or communities.
- Funding is available for route scouting and development that will take place in 2021. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll work with awardees should scouting trips need to be rescheduled.
- We are accepting any length of route within this fund. Find out more about Overnighters here, and bigger, more comprehensive Bikepacking Collective Routes here.
- Must be 18 or older to apply.
We want to support BIPOC-led programs and projects that help promote cycling, bikepacking and the outdoors in BIPOC communities. These initiatives might include regularly scheduled group rides, youth bikepacking and camping events, or skills workshops, etc. We’d love to hear your ideas, and encourage organizers who are in need of some financial support to launch or expand an event or program to fill out the form below. Although we won’t be able to support every proposal, there’s a chance we can connect you with a brand or organization in our network that can help.
Application deadline has ended.
BIPOC Community Fund grant applications will be accepted between July 15th and November 15th, 2020, for programs taking place in 2021. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of BIPOC judges, and selected events will be announced on January 4th, 2021.
- We encourage organizers to plan digital programs when possible, and to consider hosting in-person events only when it’s safe to do so.
- Applicants should provide as much detail as possible about proposed programs, including aims and intended audiences.
- Funding is available for programs that will take place in 2021. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll work with awardees should in-person programs need to be rescheduled.
- Must be 18 or older to apply.
Complete Your Donation
After receiving nearly $40,000 in pledges to support trips, route development, and programs in 2021, our BIPOC-led panel of judges selected more than 20 Collective Routes Access Fund Awardees. We're now asking those who pledged to complete their donation and make these trips, routes, and programs a reality. 100% of post-transaction-fee (3%) donations will go directly to recipients. These funds will not only support individual riders on their pedal-powered adventures, they’ll help change the face of bikepacking. Please use the form here to complete your donation. Thanks again for supporting our 2021 awardees!
Gear Sponsors
Depending on need, selected recipients will also be given a variety of great bikepacking and camping gear, generously provided by our gear sponsors. Our partners for 2021 are:
