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Travis Bilton

@travisbilton

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I was sewing @jackmenzies__ National Champ sleeve into his jerseys last night (thanks for the help, @planetvince ), and it got me thinking about some random but pretty cool connections and memories from the years of doing this MTB clothing thing.

Over 20 years ago, the very first MTB jersey I ever sewed in Home Ec class and screen-printed myself was for @lavanapparel . I gave it to @steviesmithdh at Sun Peaks. Stevie obviously went on to win.

Fast forward a few months ago, and Jack wins National Champs at Sun Peaks.

Now, the first race this @akta_mtb jersey with the National Champ sleeve will be worn is the first World Cup in Whistler, on a course named in memory of Stevie.

Thanks for riding bikes fast, Jack, and giving akta this rad memory at only four years in.

#longlivechainsaw by @travisbilton

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17 days ago

A few from Backwoods. by @travisbilton

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a month ago

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a month ago

Good, you? Right on. by @travisbilton

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3 months ago

Inbox: full
Due dates: threat level red
Me: time to get some super mid clips on the gopes by @travisbilton

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5 months ago

The final stretch before @akta_mtb S26 goes live. by @travisbilton

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7 months ago

R&R w/ Meeks @keepin.it.realty by @travisbilton

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8 months ago

Wee little shoot with @doubting.thomas.ltd few weeks back. by @travisbilton

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10 months ago

Story time: The year is 2013 and I am halfway through design school. One weekend I agreed to go to a teacup reading with my mom (yeah, my family is into that witchy stuff). This lady goes on to predict my future by the way a few tea leaves coat the bottom of this cup. She says some outlandish things which seemed like hogwash at the time, but ended up being true…

The first was that I would be closing down @lavanapparel in a year. Not a chance. Sure enough… She was right.

After that she said I would create “one of the worlds best cycling knee pads”. Pffttt…. I’ve never designed protection before. This lady was out to lunch. Well, many years later, after working for a few different companies and having four or so knee pad designs get cancelled and never go to market, I decide to start @akta_mtb…

I’m not sure if this is the world’s best knee pad, but it’s by far our best selling product and cool to see it win awards and sell so well across this globe.

One thing she predicted that hasn’t come true yet is that I would meet a mentor who dressed in an abundance of thick, tight leather and that I would travel the world with this leather bound mentor. I still have high hopes to meet this leather daddy one day.

#coolstory by @travisbilton

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a year ago

Bike by @travisbilton

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a year ago

Boomshaklaka! @akta_mtb 2025 is live.

This one feels exceptionally well to get across the line. 2024 had more than its fair share of wtf’s —behind the scenes and personally. Toss in some shipping and production chaos to start off 2025 makes seeing it go live today a big reason to smile.

Big shoutout to the incredible humans who helped along the way. No chance I’d be managing all the highs and lows solo. You know who you are :)

BRB, time for some bike rides. by @travisbilton

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