Adam Polikiewicz-Mesa is an endurance mountain athlete and bikepacker who has explored remote regions across Latin America and the U.S. After graduating college, he turned down a financial consulting career to pursue a transformative journey on two wheels. Now a full-time athlete and visual storyteller, Adam documents his adventures through Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, capturing the landscapes, cultures, and people he encounters. His work blends endurance travel with powerful storytelling that inspires connection and exploration.

Connect with Adam:

• Website
• Instagram

Photo credit: Leonardo Brasil

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Benchmade

Welcome to the Wild Ideas Worth Living Summer Camp Series! In these bonus episodes, we’re exploring camping beyond the traditional tent—from bikepacking and packrafting to camping with kids and dispersed car camping.

Kevin Frias is a cyclist and bikepacker who's taken on multi-day adventures through deserts, mountains, and everything in between. Whether he's navigating gnarly weather or unexpected setbacks, Kevin brings a steady optimism to the ride. His motto? A good map and a good attitude can take you a long way. In this episode, Kevin breaks down the essentials of bikepacking—from planning your first trip to the gear he trusts most on the trail.

Connect with Kevin:

• Instagram
• YouTube

Gear & Apparel Mentioned:

• Gravel Bikes
• Mountain Bikes
• Backpacking Tents
• Hammock tent
• Daypacks
• Panniers
• Jetboil
• Dry Bags
• Zpacks Tent & Sleeping Quilt
• NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad
• Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
• Sleeping Bag Liner
• Bike Patch Kit
• Bike tools

Check out this Bikepacking Checklist!

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®

Mina Guli is a water advocate and ultrarunner who has dedicated her life to solving one of the world’s most urgent issues—the global water crisis. She runs marathons all over the world to raise awareness, logging thousands of miles across deserts and along rivers to change the way people, companies, and governments think about water.

Connect with Mina:

• Website
• Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
• Ocean Bottle