7Roads – Ride your bike where even wolves are scared to shit

Cyclists cross borders. Cyclists travel the world, Cyclists race in other countries. Cyclists sit on bikes whose components come from all over the world and wear clothes whose supply chain includes many different countries. Cyclists are global citizens.
Cyclists are travellers. As such they trust in the hospitality and friendliness of strangers. They know that a smile can replace unknown words.
Cycling is a culture of freedom, the freedom discovered as young kid to be able to outpace your parents on two wheels, the freedom to travel far only powered by the incredible engine that is their own body.
We cyclists discover when we learn to balance on two wheels, that it is trust that enables us to go far and beyond – the trust that the same bike that cannot stand on its own holds us up perfectly upright if we let go of our fear.
Cyclists move through their surroundings not isolated by metal and glas, but exposed to sun, rain, noise, scents and wind.
Cycling is a culture of peace. We willingly are vulnerable and exposed and we trust.
The war in Ukraine as any other war leads to suffering and pitches humans of one nationality against humans of another. Space for trust and understanding of each other is being diminished. Every bullet, rocket and bomb solidifies that destruction.
Since the 27th of February, YellowCrank.com flies the Ukrainian flag on its website and on its Facebook presence. In the coming weeks, YellowCrank will introduce Ukrainian cycling brands to its global readership. The people behind these brands go through an incredibly difficult time. Please show your support to the Ukrainian people in anyway you can (for example via the Red Cross Ukraine, or Save the Children.)

7Roads

7Roads is s small company from Kovel, a city of around 80,000 people in the west of the Ukraine.

7Roads was founded by Elena Semchenko and Stanislav Kostak in 2016. Both being avid bikepackers, they started making their own bags locally and have since expanded their line to also include other products, such as wallets, racks and pogies. Their products use high quality materials, that include Dyneema Cuban and Cordura fabrics, YKK zippers and Fidlock closures, and they are very detailed and functional. Besides the products they sell off the shelf, they also make custom products and can accommodate special requests, such as your own colour choice. 7Roads’ most popular products in 2021 were their Pogies (which work equally well on drop and flat bars) and the Front Rack, followed by their seat pack that includes a minirack (and can be converted to back pack) and then their frame bags. Read great reviews of their products over at bikepacking.com

The current situation:

Even though Kovel is currently pretty save, being far in the east of the country, everyone’s life is gravely impacted and Elena and Stanislav say they are organised in volunteer jobs, city patrolling and in a charity. They still keep 7R going at around 30% capacity. All shipping, whether domestic or international is disrupted.
No-one knows what the future holds, but according to Elena people are united, furious and determined in their resistance.

Find 7Roads here on the web (they also have a presence on FB and IG – links are on their site).

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