To keep the seasonal stoke high we held a Fall Rider Rig Content Contest. Contestants submitted a little info about where they are and what they’re riding. Our internal jury in the Swift Industries Department of Stoke has reviewed the submissions. Here are the winning entries!
In first place we’ve got Marcus from South Korea.
Where in the world are you writing from and what do you love about riding there?
Jeolla-do, South Korea. I love riding down there in the south west part of the country because it’s a world away from the cars and noise of Seoul. Just rural farmland and mountains. I love the slower pace of life and of course, the incredible food using the freshest locally grown seasonal ingredients.
What is your go-to Fall Rig, be it for weekend shredding in the woods or commuting around town? Tell us a little about this ride (Frame, notable features of the build, your history with it etc.)
This is my first autumn with this bike but it’s already my go to, a Rivendell Atlantis. It’s one of the last Waterford made Atlantis frames. I was on the lookout for touring Riv and this came available at the right time, just before a summer trip to Japan. This autumn in Jeolla-do, Korea was my inaugural proper tour with the bike. Excited to take it with the ‘Monthly Bikepacking’ crew this weekend!
What Swift Industries bag/s are you toting along for the ride? and why are they perfect for Fall riding?
I’ve got the Swift Zeitgeist which is probably my most used bag. It’s on the merry-go-round between the bars and saddles of different bikes. I haven’t installed the front rack for my sugarloaf bag yet, so this is on the bars. Then I have the Swift Jr. Ranger panniers on the rear for all that extra storage space. I’ve had these on the front of my low trail Polyvalent before but these just made sense on the rear of the Atlantis. I’d like to get another pair for a 4 pannier setup someday.
What are you packing and how are you decked out for Fall weather riding?
Most importantly, I have my coffee outside set up. At the moment, I’m preferring an aero press for that because it produces more consistently good coffee on the road than most other coffee makers. For clothing, plenty of thin layers. It can be pretty hot in the day and almost freezing at night at this time of year. Uniqlo heat-tech, down and cashmere are all pretty lightweight and packable for a reasonable price.
Our Runner up is Ryan from Pennsylvania.
Where in the world are you writing from and what do you love about riding there?
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! The city is industrial, yet full of nature. In the fall, the multicolored leaves surround the ruins of old industrial infrastructure. Think railroad tracks covered in crumbling early 1900s road covered in gravel. The urban terrain is fun. I always call a gravel bike a “Pittsburgh Road Bike”. I feel lucky that I get to commute to work most days, and I have a good rig for it.
What is your go-to Fall Rig, be it for weekend shredding in the woods or commuting around town? Tell us a little about this ride (Frame, notable features of the build, your history with it etc.)
My trusty 1996 Specialized Rockhopper. I have it fitted with an 11 speed Shimano Deore Drivetrain, a big 40t chainring, microshift thumb shifter (classic), velocity tubeless wheels, gravelking SK+ tires, velo orange and origin8 everything (the VO Klunker bars make for an oversized bmx feel when riding), pelago commuter rack, wald 139 basket, and of course my beloved coyote colored motherloaf bag.
What Swift Industries bag/s are you toting along for the ride? and why are they perfect for Fall riding?
The motherloaf bag! This thing hauls A LOT. During my lunch breaks at work, I’ll go grocery shopping and this thing hauls it all. During the transition months when it’s a whole different outfit and gloves from the morning to the evening, I don’t have to worry about carrying a backpack and showing up to work with a sweaty back. And of course, it’s stylish.
What are you packing and how are you decked out for Fall weather riding?
I’m packing it all. Layers, laptop, groceries after work, beers for a party, you name it! Today I’m sporting my vintage adidas track pants, chrome industries kursk TR cycling shoes, a basic hoodie, yellow label cord jacket, and of course Gore goretex gloves.
