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Don Keller has been running the Dark Sky Bikepacking Gear Library and DIY shop space in Hailey, Idaho for the last four years. He provides free gear to Wood River residents and visitors alike. The library is outfitted with bikepacking bags and a few other essential bikepacking gear items for local two-to-three-day adventures. The DIY shop is loaded with tools, stands, spit and shine stuff, bike wash, for a little tune up before your adventure or for those traveling through town on bikes. Don aims to provide the means for riders of all ages to introduce themselves to bikepacking, get out on adventures, and lower the cost barriers to bike packing.
We chatted with Don to hear more about what the Gear Library offers, and what motivated him to start it.
What type of gear do you lend?
We have a variety of bike bags by Revelate Design, Rogue Panda, Oveja Negra, and Old Man Mountain racks. The variety of bags consist of seat bags, frame bags, feed bags, and handlebar bags. We can also provide a backcountry bike repair kit, mini kitchen/stove kit, water filter. ultralight quilt, ultralight pads and other sneaky cool things for your ride.
What inspired you to start your gear library?
After jumping feet first into my first bikepacking trip in Italy, by participating in the Veneto Tail Race, I was hooked. That first ride was fun, beautiful, chaotic, challenging and educational. My family and I didn’t even make it to the start on time because of bag rigging problems. In addition, after buying gear for my family for the trip, I came to the realization that outfitting bikes can be rather expensive, challenging and create a steep learning curve for enjoying the sport. So, after a year of bikepacking and collecting more gear, I decided to open a small gear library in 2022. The free gear library would enable those wanting to explore bikepacking, without the hassle of having to collect all the bags and gear essentials you need, and to provide an outlet for information on bikepacking.
Is your gear library supported by or run in partnership with any businesses or organizations?
We partner with the great folks at Trailhead Bike Shop in Hailey, ID. They help get the word out, and partner with us on our yearly ride series. Trailhead has rental bikes, has outstanding bike mechanics and several of their employees are experienced bikepackers and are very knowledgeable on routes in the area. Also, a great place to grab a local beverage and chat.
What is the most fulfilling part about running a bikepacking gear library?
Simply, getting people out bikepacking without a large investment and meeting lots of like-minded adventurers. When people return from trips, we love to hear the stories from their adventures that were made possible by the gear library! Seeing and hearing riders’ progression has been both hilarious and friendship building. I added a scale to the library in 2025 and that has been a hoot. I started weighing folks’ bikes before they rig them and, when possible, after they have packed. Most bikes often weigh 20–25 lbs more. It’s like waking up the morning of the ride and you have magically gained 25 lbs. Most often the description upon their return is that they felt like a sloth. Needless to say, they reevaluate their packing choices. Several riders have been on multiple community outings, and I have been able to witness their amazing growth in the sport. One particular young lady joined me for three rides last year that progressed from tears, fears and hike-a-bike to riding 100 over miles over 2-days on varied terrain and leading our group. Her smiles and continual woot woot were infectious.
What are the biggest challenges you face in running a gear library?
The two biggest challenges I’ve found are the cost of purchasing and maintenance of the gear, and being around enough to lend out the gear, while still getting out on my own bike. For the 2026 season my goal is to involve more community members in running the library and having gear available at Trailhead Bike Shop.
What are your most popular gear items?
Our bike bags including seatbags, handlebar bags, toptube bags, and feedbags definitely get the most use. In 2025 our ultralight quits and sleeping bags were the big items for those that had suffered carrying their big nice fluffy bag on a previous trip.
What strategies have been most helpful in getting the word out about the gear library?
Local word of mouth seems to have been what’s driving my library popularity. We also typically run a series of rides each year (see flyer below), which attract folks new to bikepacking, and we use the gear library to support those riders. Dark Sky is also involved with many community events that showcase the library and our bikepacking series.
Find out more about Dark Sky Bikepacking at www.darkskybikepacking.com and follow along their adventures at @darkskybikepacking.
