Necessity is the mother of invention, and quite often, the best-selling products offer solutions to everyday problems. I’d not heard of Rumpl Blankets before writing this piece, but within 10 minutes, I was sold. Rumpl began their journey “in the back of a van,” where on a surf/ski trip through California, the founders awoke to…
Lizard Skins Grips and Handlebar Tape
Lizard Skins, founded in 1993, has been manufacturing quality cycling accessories for almost three decades. They initially designed products to protect the bike and rider but have since expanded to gloves and grips. The company’s continued research meant that in 2008 they created their most innovative grip and flagship product, Durasoft Polymer (DSP). DSP provides…
Club Ride Apparel
Club Ride is “mountain lifestyle clothing,” designed from a biking perspective but intentionally made to be multi-functional. Founder Mike Herlinger wanted to “create clothing that spoke to the lifestyle led by the mountain bikers, hikers, raft guides, and ski bums creating their own opportunities in mountain towns.” Ten years later, Club Ride has spearheaded the…
UBCO 2X2 App
As someone obsessed with cycling and overlanding, I’ve watched with interest as more electric bikes have come to market. I’m particularly intrigued by products that bridge the gap between bicycle and motorbike, thus offering comparable speed to a moped, without the weight or emissions. I truly believe that this style of bike will dominate city…
Bikepacking Kitchenware
Food, water, and coffee. The triumvirate of life. I wouldn’t say I was addicted to coffee, only that without my morning espresso, I’m completely unable to function—often not sure who I am, where I belong, or what day it is. On my bicycle tour from John O’Groats to Lands End, I packed a heavy stove-top…
JEEP Wrangler, New Half Doors
The Jeep brand, built on 80 years of heritage, is widely regarded as the authentic SUV. The company’s Wrangler has always been a vehicle synonymous with open-top fun, and the partnership between Jeep Performance Parts and Mopar looks to ‘push the open-air envelope further’ with their new half-door option. First and foremost, it’s important to…
A-Squared Bikes
I generally share stories from bikepacking adventures on mountainous dirt roads. Thus, one could be misled into thinking that I don’t particularly enjoy road riding or the thrill of a lightweight aero bike, which isn’t the case. I love shredding my mountain bike on muddy single-track, yet there’s something equally rewarding about the effortless speed…
Why I Shoot Adventures in Film
I bought my first 35mm film camera from a charity shop on the outskirts of London for £20, a Canon AE-1, along with a note from the previous owner: ‘Take good care of me, I’ve been on many adventures, and hope to see many more’. It came into my life at a time when I…
Salsa 2021 Timberjack
The Salsa Timberjack is an aggressive hardtail designed around the trifecta of ‘fast, fearless, and fun’. This bike is well equipped for playful riding, integrates progressive trail geometry, multiple set-up options, and exciting features that give you the confidence to nail lines with speed and control. I love hardtails and agree with Salsa that in…
Land Rover Defender V8
What has 518 horsepower, 461 pound-feet of torque, can go 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 149 mph? A Defender? Sorry, what?! Well, you heard right, Land Rover has brought back their iconic V8, but this time it’s more than just a soundtrack. Sure, us English folk are pretty used to…
Lets Go Aero, Nelson Trailer Adapter
Necessity is the mother of invention, and at Let’s Go Aero (LGA), it was all the motivation they required to launch their first product in 1998, the Gearwagon AT ‘Herman’ Sport Performance trailer. It was a light and enclosed trailer that could carry five bicycles, among other gear, and still be pulled by a Volkswagen…
Bikepacking Clothing Essentials
Well, look what the cat dragged in—the ‘Jack Mac’ signature look. Make no mistake, when it comes to clothing, I take my styling cues from Stig of the Dump. I appreciate fashion and style, but honestly, I’m generally too busy spending every penny I earn on my hobbies or experiences. I make an active effort…
ARB Bushranger Exhaust Jack
Up up and away! The latest version of ARB’s Bushranger is the inflatable saviour we all need. This ingenious recovery solution has a long history in Australia, and in the words of ARB, ‘is an essential piece of equipment that should never be far away in case of emergency.’ Well, the company has taken this…
Trasharoo
My first impressions of the Trash-a-roo? Rubbish, it holds lots of it. This ingenious overlanding solution, created by California Tape Products, offers seamless garbage management on the road. Moreover, this is a product with environmental motivations. C.T.P President Dave Druck states: “There isn’t a single one of us who is against the ‘Tread Lightly’ philosophy”,…
KC Hilites Flex Era 4
There are very few vehicle accessory companies with such a long-standing reputation for quality as KC Hilites. Moreover, the designs and performance of their latest products have overlanders like me transfixed, jaw agape, breathless like a deer in Flex Era 4 spots! I remember purchasing my VW Syncro and immediately (childishly) investing in four cheap…
Bikepacking Bedtime
On a bikepacking trip or any strenuous human-powered adventure, you depend on a good night’s sleep. I can’t tell you how miserable it is to spend a night unable to rest through discomfort, and then forcing yourself over a mountain range the next day. Lack of sleep, combined with hunger and dehydration, is a first-class…
Moots Turns 40! 1981-2021
In 2021, Moots turns 40, and that’s pretty dang impressive for any company, let alone a small bespoke bicycle manufacturer. This longevity is the product of exquisite workmanship and a subsequent loyal following. Brent Whittington, the owner of Moots Cycles, states, “As you can tell, we are all excited here at Moots, and 2021 is…
Leatherman Rebar
Prehistoric man required the bare essentials: water, food, shelter, fire, and the latest multi-tool. Humans, like moths to a flame, cannot resist their primitive urge for a pocketable device concealing many tools. In such an instance, Steve, a mid-level IT consultant, happily married, with three kids and a Prius, can be found in the garden,…
Bikepacking to Mordor
If Frodo and Sam had ridden steel-framed steeds to Mordor, what would their bikepacking bag setup have looked like? It’s a question that has ruined many a night’s sleep. Thus, today I’m sharing five of my favourites in the fight against Sauron. Carradice Saddlebag Much like Po-tay-toes! Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a…
Escaping a Digital World
I love technology and the access to information and education, online entertainment and inspiration, remote working capabilities, and communication benefits it provides. However, as technology encroaches ever more on our lives, I’ve found the need to push back. I can’t help feeling the days of owning our devices are slipping away, and we’re increasingly becoming…