The Dirtbag Diaries

In August of 2025, professional adventure cyclist Sarah Swallow spent over a month bikepacking from the Pacific Ocean to the Eastern slopes of the Rockies. Her goal? To scout a new formal bikepacking route developed by the Adventure Cycling Association which stretches from the Mississippi River to Oregon: The Golden Gravel Trail. Sarah breaks down the highs and lows of her mostly solo bikepacking trip. Support comes from Oboz  Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Andy Cochrane hails from a Park Service cabin in Minnesota and has lived the life many dirtbags dream of. He spent years on the road, funding his travel through skillful storytelling and photography. While out on a long trail run, he realized something was missing, and decided to create it. As he brought friends and community members on board, he discovered someone else had the same idea. It quickly starts to look like Andy, Ian MacLellan and Rickey Gates are in a race to complete the 50 Classic Trails of America, and the result will undoubtedly shape the future of trail running.  Support comes from Oboz  Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Kuat Racks  Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

As a high school teacher in Santa Maria, CA, Taylor Mihelic understands the power of a field trip. Whether it’s plant identification hikes through the forests, or habitat restoration projects on the coast, Taylor gets the best out of her students when there’s adventure in the air. During her summer break this year, Taylor took her own field trip on the tour divide bike race, exploring the edge of her limits and teaching herself a lesson in optimism along the way. Support comes from Kuat Racks  Oboz Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today. Our book, States of Adventure, 30 stories adapted from The Diaries, is out in the wild. See if it's available on your local shelves or order it here: geni.us/StatesofAdventure

Time spent outside as kids can extend into our adult lives in incredible ways. Jay Inslee’s passion for being outside shaped his path from his three terms as governor of Washington all the way to the national level. His pioneering policy work is having an impact in Washington state and proving that change is possible if we bring our determination to the world’s biggest problems.  Support comes from Oboz Through Dec 19th, nominate your favorite trail org⁠ for a chance to win $1000 donation from Oboz Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Kuat Racks Diaries+ ⁠ You can join today⁠ and we'll send you the Diaries theme song to use as your ringtone. ⁠Gift memberships⁠ available too. Looking for a gift that will inspire? Our book,⁠ States of Adventure⁠, 30 stories adapted from The Diaries, is out in the wild. See if it's available on your⁠ local shelves⁠ or order it here:⁠ geni.us/StatesofAdventure And Then What Actions Learn More about Oak Flat (Access Fund | Apache Stronghold) Adelita Grijalva’s Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act

Loss can create an emotional cocktail when something or someone is unceremoniously ripped from our life. Amie Renaud and Joanna Henry invite us along through their circuitous roads through grief.  After the sudden end of a relationship, Amie embarks on a grand bikepacking trip. Right as she’s finally settling in, she finds herself picking up the pieces again. Joanna hadn’t reconciled the loss of her brother. But a visit from an uninvited, and surprisingly tenacious, guest, forces her to reckon with those unresolved feelings. Support comes from Kuat Racks  Oboz : Nominate your favorite trail org for a chance to win $1000 donation from Oboz Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Diaries+ You can join today and we'll send you the Diaries theme song to use as your ringtone. Gift memberships available too. Looking for a gift that will inspire? Our book, States of Adventure, 30 stories adapted from The Diaries, is out in the wild. See if it's available on your local shelves or order it here: geni.us/StatesofAdventure