E-Gravel Bikepacking Meets Canoeing: Towing a 17-Foot Canoe with the Velduro Phantom X

Logan Nelson and Andrew Ford completed a three-day bikepacking and canoepacking journey in October 2026, towing a 17-foot canoe with a Velduro Phantom e-gravel bike across gravel roads and waterways outside Bellingham, Washington, according to reporting by Velo.

Building the DIY Trailer for the Bellingham Loop

The route required transporting a 17-foot canoe 40 miles out of Bellingham and up 2,500 feet of climbing to a lake, then loading all gear and bikes into the watercraft to paddle back down toward the sea, Velo reported. Nelson wanted the expedition to test the e-bike under a heavy utility load rather than serve as a showpiece. Because no commercial hitch existed for the task, Nelson spent a day searching yard sales, thrift stores, and Facebook Marketplace listings for salvageable parts. He secured a child’s bicycle trailer that featured a multi-axis rotating hitch, which allowed the connection point to move side to side and up and down without a custom three-axis joint fabrication. The setup allows the canoe to attach in under 30 seconds, according to Velduro.com.

Performance of the Velduro Phantom X on Gravel Climbs

The expedition utilized the Velduro Phantom X e-gravel bike, equipped with an Avinox M2 drive delivering 120Nm of continuous torque, 125Nm on boost, and 1,100W of peak power, paired with a 600Wh battery, as detailed by Velduro.co.nz. Nelson loaded the bike with camping gear, camera equipment, and the custom trailer. He preserved battery capacity on the opening day by riding in eco mode while applying roughly 180 to 250 watts of leg power, saving higher assistance levels for steep pitches. On gravel descents with the canoe in tow, the rig reached speeds of 28 mph while maintaining stability, according to Velduro.com.

It carries its extra weight well. It doesn’t feel cumbersome and is impressively stable at speed.

Logan Nelson via Velduro.com

Adapting the Route Around Closed Gates and Rapids

The original itinerary shifted on the first evening when the pair encountered a closed gate near dark, prompting them to camp beside the river instead of reaching the lake, Velo reported. The following morning, they detached the canoe at the base of the final steep ascent and rode the bikes alone to the water. Nelson, who noted he had limited prior open-water swimming experience beyond snorkeling in Hawaii, wore a wetsuit to enter the lake. Upon returning to the river, they dismantled the wheelsets, packed both e-bikes inside the 17-foot canoe, and navigated faster river water than anticipated. Aeroe supplied the bikepacking bags and mounts used on the trip, with waterproof dry bags providing gear protection through the river rapids, according to Velo.