Last month, friend and fellow YouTuber Ryan Van Duzer set out on our lovely Sage and Saddles loop in Gunnison, Colorado, where he put together a four-part video series documenting the ride. Watch it here and find more information about the route…

Ryan Van Duzer’s four-part video series documents his July bikepacking trip along the Sage and Saddles route, a 220-mile loop around beautiful Gunnison, Colorado. The series captures the striking landscapes, unpredictable mountain weather, and quiet solitude that define this high-elevation track. From smooth gravel climbs and remote backroads to snowy passes and river crossings, each episode reveals a new layer of challenges and beauty along the way. Watch it below, and scroll down for details about the route.

Part 1: Gunnison is MTB Paradise

In the first installment, Ryan introduces the Sage and Saddles loop—a stunning 220-mile bikepacking route around Gunnison, Colorado. He sets the scene with rugged landscapes and previews what’s in store, providing route context and personal reflections on why this ride feels special.

Part 2: What’s that in the sky?

In Part 2, the weather and terrain get more complicated as Ryan presses forward, balancing gravel passes and unexpected wildlife sightings, all while navigating the challenges on the trail.

Part 3: Through Snow and Water

In this episode, the route pushes into harsher conditions—rain, snow melt, water crossings, and epic scenery—that shape the journey, testing both gear and grit.

Part 4: It Doesn’t get Better Than This

For the final episode, Ryan reflects on the trip’s high points—from epic vistas to the satisfaction of completing the loop—and recaps what it takes to tackle this future-classic Colorado bikepacking route with his familiar tone of gratitude and positivity.

Sage and Saddles is a week-long bikepacking route that travels through the incredibly diverse landscapes of Gunnison County, Colorado. The 222-mile route begins in the vibrant town of Gunnison and forms a spectacular loop by traversing the high sage desert to the south before turning north into the Sawatch mountain range. The route uses a variety of dirt roads ranging from smooth and fast gravel paralleling dreamy fly-fishing streams to chunky, high alpine doubletrack. View the full route guide here.

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