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…
BFGoodrich All-terrain KO2s
It’s time I say goodbye to four dear old friends, my faithful BFGoodrich All-terrain K02s. I remember the day I brought the BFGs home—they were so pristine, with an advanced tyre footprint to evenly distribute stress, and crucially, that new tyre smell (just me!?). However, I was told by my doctor (tyre doctor) that years of…
ICON 4x4s ‘Old School Edition’ FJ44
I’ve always struggled between choosing a modern, reliable vehicle and being seduced by the undeniable charm of older models. I find myself wondering, what flaws can I live with? Are the aesthetics worth the heightened risk of mechanical failures? It’s ridiculous, but I can’t help lusting over the boxy dimensions of classic 4WDs. I’m not…
Sena M1 and M1 EVO Bluetooth Helmets
I’m surprised by how rarely helmets are discussed in the cycling community when you consider they’re such a hot topic in the motorbike world. I remember doing my licence and the tutor talking us through some of the horrific motorcycle accidents that happen at low speeds and realising I was frequently going much faster on…
The Apocatron – 1986 Volkswagen T3 Syncro
I remember six years ago when I initially began the hunt for a Volkswagen (Vanagon) T3 Syncro, a wise man once said, ‘he who seeketh a Syncro will always pay £15,000 ($20,000) regardless of initial purchase price’. As I gazed up from one knee in awe of the stoic, I finally understood. I may have…
Bikepacking During a Pandemic
Let’s start with a riddle: what’s invisible, arrived in 2020, caused global chaos, and begins with the letter ‘C’? Ah yes, Covid. It has been a rather strange episode here on Earth, and there aren’t many of us who’ve not been affected. It’s all too easy to curl up on the sofa, grab a tub…
Hyperlite Ultamid 2 – Ultralight Pyramid Tent
The Hyperlite Ultamid 2 is a portable palace targeted primarily at the hiking/bikepacking community and weighs just 534 grams (just over 1 pound, weight only includes perimeter guy lines). The optional insert adds an additional 626 grams but turns the tent into a four-season shelter (there are lighter inserts available on their website, including a…
Tips for Your First Bikepacking Trip
In today’s instalment, we’re going to look at 11 top tips for your first bikepacking ride and hopefully get you excited about your pedal-driven adventure. I want this series of articles to create a solid base for beginners but also offer experienced riders some useful considerations for their upcoming trips. As we continue to deep…
Bikepacking
Are you tired of the nine-to-five? Is the work printer still being uncooperative despite the latest firmware? Want to travel but mislaid the keys to the superyacht? Desperate to see the world but living on a shoestring? (I’ve told you to stop eating those, ugh). Well, amigo, it might be time to take a seat,…
Berghaus Hillmaster II Gore-Tex Boots
Want to look like Indiana Jones but discover the Holy Grail in superior comfort? Well, Berghaus might just have the answer. The Hillmaster IIs offer a classic design that seamlessly integrates the modern features of a technical hiking boot. The timeless exterior conceals a Gore-Tex membrane for superior waterproofing (whilst still allowing your feet to…