RAT Loops, Revelate Tarsier Review, and The USA Trail: Unpaved Cycling Culture | Ep. 103

This episode of ShiftLess dives into the grit and gear of unpaved bicycle culture, braving a rainy North Texas day to discuss major updates to the Race Across Texas (RAT), the future of The USA Trail, and the latest innovations in bikepacking equipment.In this session, Kevin, Chef Brad, and DJ Caleb "unwind" the latest in ultra-endurance unpaved cycling. We break down the new "RAT Loops" concept—a series of 18 daisy-chained 100-mile loops along the RAT corridor designed for riders who want to experience The USA Trail in bite-sized, weekend chunks.The USA Trail & RAT Loops: Kevin announces a major shift in how riders can approach the 1,000-mile Texas epic. By creating a "stacked loop" system, Basepacking enthusiasts can now scout and ride sections of the route without needing a full week off.Gear Deep Dive:Revelate Tarsier (Tarsier): A technical review of the new small-profile "anything cage." Is it worth the $59 premium for fork-mounted storage?Revelate Stoat: Checking out the new anti-sway mini saddlebag for streamlined setups.Industry in Turmoil: A sobering look at how upcoming tariffs and logistics shifts are affecting the bike industry. From the Kent production suspension to layoffs at Oveja Negra, we discuss why "titanium is forever" but the supply chain is fragile.Advocacy News: Discussing the Shimano Trailborn Fund, a $10 million global commitment to trail building and maintenance.Ultra-Endurance Feats: Celebrating local hero Lauren Stevens and her dominating performance at Levi’s Gran Fondo.The Backflip Bike Story: A classic unpaved culture anecdote involving "chemically enhanced" customers and the search for the ultimate stunt rig.The new RAT Loop system utilizes the existing Race Across Texas route as a spine, branching off every 50 miles to create self-contained loops. This allows for:Segmented Exploration: Knock out sections of The USA Trail over multiple long weekends.Logistical Ease: Start and finish at the same point, making vehicle-supported Basepacking much simpler.Route Redundancy: These loops serve as built-in reroutes for flooding or "La Ruta Suave" (paved alternates) during foul weather.Whether you’re prepping for your first 1,000-mile journey or just looking for the right way to strap a camp stool to your fork, this episode bridges the gap between high-level industry news and the raw reality of riding in the Texas mud. We also touch on home-front survival—from rain barrels to protecting your pups from toxic grapes.Keywords: Gravel Cycling, Bikepacking, Ultra Endurance Cycling, The USA Trail, Basepacking, Revelate Tarsier, Race Across Texas, Shimano Trailborn, Northeast Texas Trail (NETT), Unpaved Bicycle Culture, ShiftLess Podcast.Ready to scout the loops? Join the conversation as we map out the next phase of unpaved adventure.RAT Loops, Revelate Tarsier Review, and The USA Trail: Unpaved Cycling Culture | Ep. 103Inside the Episode:The "RAT Loops" ExplainedWhy Listen?Reach out and touch us: [email protected]