So I'm 12 weeks out from my HT550 ITT and YouTube is a great resource for research but it's absolutely polluted with bad stuff too. Does anyone here have favourite bikepacking / MTB channels or do any of you guys and gals have your own that anyone else may be interested in? I've had mine for years but never really had the time or got any traction with it until relatively recently. MTB and adventure has been pretty saturated over the last 4-5 years. I'd love to see your Bikepacking / adventure / mtb / gravel channels if you have them.

Here's mine: https://youtube.com/@ravensoutdoor?si=uRMJKFSHG0yCIu0s

Don't have my own but I regularly watch the following:

Always Another Adventure https://www.youtube.com/@alwaysanotheradventure the guy is an ex-BBC presenter who now lives in the Morvern/Ardnamurchan area. More gravel orientated than MTB but nice shots of Scotland!

Keep Smiling Adventures https://www.youtube.com/@KeepSmilingAdventures generally bikepacking stuff.

Juliet Elliott https://www.youtube.com/@JulietElliottsChannel again more gravel than MTB and tends to be southern UK based so a counterbalance to the first one.

GCN & Bikepacking.com obviously have their own channels. I'm sure there's others (Dylan Johnson for race orientated stuff as an example) but mostly it's a case of happening to come across things - let the algorithm control your brain!

The one's I watch most often are Josh Ibbet, Keep Smiling Adventures, Dirty Teeth, EF Gone Racing.

Allen Boardmans (escape goatee) channel is cracking

https://www.youtube.com/@AllenBoardman

Definitely on the more relaxed side of the sport but I really like Tim Fitzwater.

Valerio has a channel which may be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/@Al_Fresco Alex too: https://www.youtube.com/@alexberrypgt

I don't 'like or subscribe' to any channels mind, tending to watch vids on a one-off basis.

I'm definitely into more relaxed content and casual touring.

Path less pedaled is a nice perspective on non competitve cycling.

Ive been watching Allens channel a bit lately.

Barry Godin.

Pedal power family.

Bikepacking adventures/richard lake

Old but electrified

Josh Reid has a few nice films of his recent gravel (mostly) tour in New Zealand.
Didn't realise he was the son of Carlton Reid.

https://youtube.com/@josh-reid?si=VNM9Y4um7tw2v39J

ripio wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:36 am Josh Reid has a few nice films of his recent gravel (mostly) tour in New Zealand.
Didn't realise he was the son of Carlton Reid.

https://youtube.com/@josh-reid?si=VNM9Y4um7tw2v39J

I'd never heard of him, but at last year's Strathpuffer an ostentatious gold Range Rover was driving up the main firetrack with the driver looking for a parking/crewing spot rather optimistically given how early folk get there to secure a spot. The driver looked kinda familiar, but it was only after the event that I found Josh and Carlton's YouTube vid from the event and it clicked as to who it was. If I recall correctly the vid actually mentioned said SUV as being a sponsors.

I enjoy Keep Smiling Adventures and Juliett Elliot's channel, and tend to watch most of their videos. I enjoy when GCN and GMBN do their bikepacking videos as well.
I occasionally watch Path Less Pedalled and Cycling 366.

Off topic but ....

https://youtube.com/@wheelieyellow?si=LpJ8Py9YiYl6MubP

Let's go

I watch a few, most mentioned on here. Anything that takes itself too serious, is up it's own arse or is geared too much on racing I tend to avoid.

At the moment, I will find myself watching Alaska to Argentina videos including Greg Mcmahon or Dan rides the world. Also, quite enjoyed The Sunday Ride on a world wide trip and Matt Ryder's Tour divide, transam and now New Zealand.

The alt side of cycling is also a genre I like inc Probably Riding, Joe Hubba and Crust bike videos. Early Everything's Been Done were cool with great music but now seems to be more about advertising something.

riderdown wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 1:51 pm Off topic but ....

https://youtube.com/@wheelieyellow?si=LpJ8Py9YiYl6MubP

Let's go

That's pretty funny, but some people must have a lot of time on their hands to make that

I've watched loads.... mostly Keep Smiling ( he seems a decent fellow, unoffensive etc.... nice guy .... but his narration .... style really gets ........ on my ...... nerves... and eat something other than feckin Ginsters ! ) He always seems to be in too much of a rush to get to the end... relax a bit chap....
Watched Matt Ryder loads .... his TD video is excellent... binge watched everything then his Trans Am tour was good, then not so good, then ok, this is dragging on a bit now, then there's nothing interesting to film other than the people who fed and housed him .... yeah enough of that... now he's in NZ but he's riding with a group.... not interested... he's lost me I'm afraid.
Barry Godin was excellent ... seems to have gone quiet.
Watched a Juliet Elliot one yesterday ... was ok, no idea who she is but seems a bit full of herself.
Always Another Adventure... I quite like him but as soon as folks are getting sponsored they sort of lose me.
Watched a couple of Allen's ... will watch more.
I really appreciate folks have to put content out, I get it, and it must be a lot of pressure to produce interesting content.

I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 am I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

That follows on from a thread on here a while back on the stories in Bikepacking.com - it's all about me! endless drivel about how the trip is changing their lives etc whilst I'm ranting at the page or screen - "never mind all that crap, what's the bloody trail like!"

That's pretty funny, but some people must have a lot of time on their hands to make that

I think he'll be getting a return on his time invested

I like the gentle musings, philosophy and gentle fun

The action cinematography is better than most netflix films

riderdown wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 1:51 pm Off topic but ....

https://youtube.com/@wheelieyellow?si=LpJ8Py9YiYl6MubP

Let's go

I enjoyed that . Rather ironically, YouTube than suggested a load of videos of real life van camping people with quotes such as “it’s just a house but on wheels…” afterwards

I actively avoid any YouTube video that has in the title “You’ll never guess what happened…” or “Disaster struck, OMG…” etc etc

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 11:10 am

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 am I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

That follows on from a thread on here a while back on the stories in Bikepacking.com - it's all about me! endless drivel about how the trip is changing their lives etc whilst I'm ranting at the page or screen - "never mind all that crap, what's the bloody trail like!"

haha, I'm glad it's not just me then. I recently watched a Scotduro video as I'm thinking of doing it this year. 25 minutes later I knew what the guy had to eat, what he looked like etc, but not a bloody clue about the route or event itself.

I tried to get in the HT550 this year (no luck..) and watched just about every youtube video I could find on it. There's some great ones out there but there's a a lot that just missed everything while constantly showing the rider face-on, describing how tough it was. Why do an amazing route then not show any of it.?

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:57 pm

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 11:10 am

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 am I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

That follows on from a thread on here a while back on the stories in Bikepacking.com - it's all about me! endless drivel about how the trip is changing their lives etc whilst I'm ranting at the page or screen - "never mind all that crap, what's the bloody trail like!"

haha, I'm glad it's not just me then. I recently watched a Scotduro video as I'm thinking of doing it this year. 25 minutes later I knew what the guy had to eat, what he looked like etc, but not a bloody clue about the route or event itself.

I tried to get in the HT550 this year (no luck..) and watched just about every youtube video I could find on it. There's some great ones out there but there's a a lot that just missed everything while constantly showing the rider face-on, describing how tough it was. Why do an amazing route then not show any of it.?

I'm 100% guilty of this. Mainly because I use videos to remind myself of how I felt rather than just footage of a camera trapped to my bike which never really does the scenery justice.

I've given up making and watching videos completely as almost all of them are done for likes and sponsorship. I don't even know why I look at YouTube as I can't suffer the algorithm that just shoves constant click bait in front of me. Not once has it suggest a video of a bloke filming up his nose and swearing in America which is what I actually want to watch

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 4:58 pm

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:57 pm

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 11:10 am

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 am I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

That follows on from a thread on here a while back on the stories in Bikepacking.com - it's all about me! endless drivel about how the trip is changing their lives etc whilst I'm ranting at the page or screen - "never mind all that crap, what's the bloody trail like!"

haha, I'm glad it's not just me then. I recently watched a Scotduro video as I'm thinking of doing it this year. 25 minutes later I knew what the guy had to eat, what he looked like etc, but not a bloody clue about the route or event itself.

I tried to get in the HT550 this year (no luck..) and watched just about every youtube video I could find on it. There's some great ones out there but there's a a lot that just missed everything while constantly showing the rider face-on, describing how tough it was. Why do an amazing route then not show any of it.?

I'm 100% guilty of this. Mainly because I use videos to remind myself of how I felt rather than just footage of a camera trapped to my bike which never really does the scenery justice.

I've given up making and watching videos completely as almost all of them are done for likes and sponsorship. I don't even know why I look at YouTube as I can't suffer the algorithm that just shoves constant click bait in front of me. Not once has it suggest a video of a bloke filming up his nose and swearing in America which is what I actually want to watch

Your videos are an exception; it's funny as hell seeing someone swear and moan like I feel at the worst moments in a ride. I've watched your HT550 and TD videos and really enjoyed them. It was refreshing seeing a video done in "normal" mode rather than "this is so inspiring, here's-a-word-from-my-sponsor" mode lol

I quite liked the VC Adventures videos when he first started, but my god they're getting unwatchable now.

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:57 pm

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 11:10 am

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 am I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

That follows on from a thread on here a while back on the stories in Bikepacking.com - it's all about me! endless drivel about how the trip is changing their lives etc whilst I'm ranting at the page or screen - "never mind all that crap, what's the bloody trail like!"

haha, I'm glad it's not just me then. I recently watched a Scotduro video as I'm thinking of doing it this year. 25 minutes later I knew what the guy had to eat, what he looked like etc, but not a bloody clue about the route or event itself.

I tried to get in the HT550 this year (no luck..) and watched just about every youtube video I could find on it. There's some great ones out there but there's a a lot that just missed everything while constantly showing the rider face-on, describing how tough it was. Why do an amazing route then not show any of it.?

Yeah, I'm doing the HT550 ITT this year and found the same. Theres almost no chat or exposition about the route. It's a mixed bag anecdotal vignettes. To be fair, it's hard to showcase 550 miles of some of the most stunning scenery in the world and stay on task!

Ravens_Outdoor wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2025 4:06 pm
Yeah, I'm doing the HT550 ITT this year and found the same. Theres almost no chat or exposition about the route. It's a mixed bag anecdotal vignettes. To be fair, it's hard to showcase 550 miles of some of the most stunning scenery in the world and stay on task!

If you are sufficiently bored, I did do a route guide but it's too long a read to make it into popular social media!

https://philsbikepacking.blogspot.com/2 ... guide.html

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2025 4:56 pm

Ravens_Outdoor wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2025 4:06 pm
Yeah, I'm doing the HT550 ITT this year and found the same. Theres almost no chat or exposition about the route. It's a mixed bag anecdotal vignettes. To be fair, it's hard to showcase 550 miles of some of the most stunning scenery in the world and stay on task!

If you are sufficiently bored, I did do a route guide but it's too long a read to make it into popular social media!

https://philsbikepacking.blogspot.com/2 ... guide.html

Just had a quick look and that's the kind of thing I've been looking for! I'll have a good read through when I've got time (at work at the moment..). Thanks!

Ravens_Outdoor wrote: ↑Fri Feb 28, 2025 4:06 pm

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 1:57 pm

fatbikephil wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 11:10 am

PeddarsWayJason wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:03 am I watch quite a lot of stuff on youtube including most of the ones mentioned here. The thing I don't get though, is why do some content creators think people want to watch 30 minutes of the camera pointed at their face while they describe where they're riding through. Just film the scenery and talk over that. I mostly watch youtube videos to check a route, not watch someone talking about it lol

That follows on from a thread on here a while back on the stories in Bikepacking.com - it's all about me! endless drivel about how the trip is changing their lives etc whilst I'm ranting at the page or screen - "never mind all that crap, what's the bloody trail like!"

haha, I'm glad it's not just me then. I recently watched a Scotduro video as I'm thinking of doing it this year. 25 minutes later I knew what the guy had to eat, what he looked like etc, but not a bloody clue about the route or event itself.

I tried to get in the HT550 this year (no luck..) and watched just about every youtube video I could find on it. There's some great ones out there but there's a a lot that just missed everything while constantly showing the rider face-on, describing how tough it was. Why do an amazing route then not show any of it.?

Yeah, I'm doing the HT550 ITT this year and found the same. Theres almost no chat or exposition about the route. It's a mixed bag anecdotal vignettes. To be fair, it's hard to showcase 550 miles of some of the most stunning scenery in the world and stay on task!

That's fair, I can imagine there's way too much to get into a short film. There's a guy who posted a series of POV videos (can't remember the name) of his trip, and there's a lot of footage of the route; a lot of which I hadn't seen on other videos. That's all I want; lots of info of the route. My wife thinks I'm a bit strange watching videos of other people riding bikes, and I have to turn the sound down as anyone in another room can just hear panting and grunting. "it's a bike video, honest.!"