At the end of each year, The Radavist’s staff compiles a list of their favorite products. Like last year, we’ve included our favorite products, rides, experiences, and more. Read on for Miguel’s list from 2025…
Tailfin Speedpack $410 & Long Top Tube Bag $120 Combo
This is the storage solution I used for my first ultra, Mega Mid South, and I’ve gotta say, it was dialed.
The 2.2-liter Long Top Tube Bag had plenty of room for snacks, a tire repair kit, and a power bank. I really like the modular dividers; I was able to configure the inside exactly how I wanted, and it even has a special pocket for cash and ID.
The Speedpack is a 10L stabilized saddle pack. It carried all my night layers, a down jacket, and an emergency bivy. But the best feature for me was the 3L mesh pocket on top. This ended up being the most versatile compartment of the whole system. It held snacks, light layers, even an extra bottle. Everything I needed quick access to, lived there.
During quick stops, I’d restock my top tube bag from the mesh pocket and swap bottles as needed. It made my stops efficient and cohesive.
Significant Other Titanium Seatpost $350.00
This was a special gift from John Watson. At first, I thought he was just letting me borrow it, like many things he generously lent me. But no! He had this 400 mm titanium seatpost made as a special order for me and my long legs.
It’s a beautiful Ti post with a super cool eyeball pattern. I truly don’t know how my butt cheeks would’ve felt after 300 miles on a carbon post, and I guess we’ll never know. The flex and comfort are immediately noticeable, and it made a massive difference over 23 hours of riding. Such a thoughtful gift. Thanks, John.
Ornot Micro Grid Long Sleeve Jersey $174 & Micro Climate Jacket $248
I met the Ornot crew earlier this year at Lost & Found. We camped, raced, and had a blast. They sent me this jersey and jacket specifically for Mega Mid South, and they nailed it.
Micro Grid Jersey:
It’s a Polartec knit fabric that’s super lightweight, cozy, and ridiculously breathable on its own. Paired with their jacket, it becomes an excellent base layer for cold mornings. Such a versatile piece for ultra racing.
Micro Climate Jacket:
They call it more than a wind jacket, and I couldn’t agree more. It packs down insanely small, which made it an easy choice to bring for my first ultra. The stretch-woven fabric has tiny interior triangles that trap heat by keeping the material off your skin and creating pockets of warm air. The double zipper was super helpful for regulating temperature throughout the race.
Coros Dura $249
This bike computer gave me the biggest peace of mind you can have during an ultra. (Yes, a lot of my picks come from my first ultra. I won’t stop talking about it anytime soon…sorry not sorry!)
There are so many pros: easy-to-use system, Garmin-compatible mount, great price, and of course the battery life. It’s no secret that this is where the Dura stands out from the competition but man, the battery it’s nuts.
I rode for 23 hours and it only dropped to 71%! Keep in mind I also had aero bars blocking the solar panel, and it was an overcast day. Otherwise, I swear it could last a month.
Prevelo Zulu One $649
My kid’s first pedal bike is a stunner. A lot of people have reached out about it, and honestly, the build quality is what impressed me most. People often think of kids’ bikes as toys, stepping stones to a “real bike.” Not the Zulu One.
As a friend pointed out, this thing comes with hydraulic disc brakes! Roman (my three-year-old) has brake-checked me more times than I can count. I should probably teach him that skidding is not okay, right? But watching him learn to modulate brakes, get confident, and rip has been a very special dad memory.
Zwift Smart Cog $49
This is a revolutionary product for indoor training. With it, I can switch between bikes without worrying about compatibility. I can even ride my mountain bike by swapping the Zwift Hub adapter to a 12x148mm boost spacing.
It’s super easy and shifting is fully electronic. You can shift on your computer or phone, or get the Zwift Click and really lean into the gaming aspect. I know I’ll be spending lots of time riding indoors as it’s getting chilly here in Northern New Mexico.
Steam Deck OLED Limited Edition $549
Another special gift, this one for Father’s Day from my lovely wife. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with video games, but lately I’ve found a good balance. The Steam Deck has been perfect for scratching that inner-kid itch. Sometimes I want to challenge myself with an arcade racer like Formula Legends, other times I just want a super vibey skate sim like Session.
Whenever I want to disconnect from social media and get lost in a game with a rewarding learning curve, this is the console I reach for. And I can take it anywhere.
Stinner Ti Bottle Cages $49
I just got these cages, and honestly, my favorite thing about them is the price. They’re very reasonably priced compared to other Ti cages on the market, they’re light (around 31g), and super sleek.
If you’ve been following Stinner, you know they’ve been ramping up U.S. production of bike frames. They’re up from 20 frames in 2011 to potentially 3,000 in 2025 and beyond. Super impressive; you can read more in John’s shop visit.
Favorite Race: Lost & Found
This year, I was introduced to the Lost Sierra. I had the privilege of visiting twice in 2025. The first time was for the Lost & Found gravel grinder.
This race has everything I want in a 100-miler: big climbs, chunky descents, beautiful landscapes, and most importantly, great vibes. The event crew is lovely, and the riders who show up are all stoked to camp and enjoy the area.
The terrain feels close to the unmaintained roads we ride in New Mexico. If you want something very different from the typical flat gravel races, Lost & Found is a gem and very much worth the travel.
Favorite Book: 90 Day Gratitude Journal
I haven’t done much reading this year (no surprise, as my wife and I adapt to life with two toddlers), but one thing we started recently has made a big impact: a gratitude journal.
Specifically, one made by my sister Oriana, who also has two toddlers, the exact same ages as ours, and understands the chaos. She knows the importance of reminding herself of the good things, and doing it daily has become a habit thanks to this journal.
At first, I had to force myself to think of three things I was grateful for. But as the days went by, it became easier. It’s a great reminder that we have a full, loving life worth celebrating. Thank you, herma.
Lesson Learned: Be Kinder to Myself
In the past, I’ve been my own biggest critic. I fall into traps of insecurity around my work, relationships, and fatherhood. When I make a mistake, I hang onto it for too long.
During Mega Mid South, I had a revelation: “Dark moments don’t last.”
Around mile 100, I started cramping and thought my race was over. But by staying positive, being kind to myself, and letting my body recover, I came back, and the cramps never returned.
Even in the scariest moments, I talked to myself gently. I kept believing I could do it. That kindness carried me through 300 miles. And it’s something I want to carry through the rest of my life.
New Things: Ultra Racing
My newfound love, if it isn’t obvious, is ultra racing. I went into Mega thinking I’d either love it or hate it and never do one again. Thankfully, it became an experience of love and self-discovery.
Don’t get me wrong: it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done on a bike. There were dark thoughts and dark moments. But I expected that. I knew the highs would be amazing and the lows would come often.
Regardless of fitness, this was always going to be a mental battle. I was only racing myself – my thoughts, pains, doubts, mistakes – and on the other side: my family and gratitude. The race left me wanting more.
Feeling the Love
It blows my mind when I go to events and people approach me because they watch my content. It’s surreal every time. Those interactions make me feel so grateful that someone would take time out of their busy life to disconnect and enjoy something I made.
I really love my job, but the fact that others enjoy it is such a satisfying perk. Ultimately, I make things I would want to watch, and I do it for me, but chatting in person with folks who support The Radavist and Race Metal has been a highlight of my year.
THANK YOU.