Rad adjective slang Extremely exciting or good. Excellent; wonderful. Radical. The terrain They call it an “untouched plethora of gravel unlike any other,” that southern Colorado plateau laden with impressive mesas, paths that will bear the churning of hundreds of bike wheels on October 8 as riders compete for the top finisher in the RAD…
Trail Fire Grill, High-Elevation Cooking the Campfire Way
I knew I liked the Trail Fire Grill when I saw creator Mark Ritchie demo it at the Overland Expo in Flagstaff, Arizona, this past spring. He had made a bacon and eggs breakfast for me and showed me how this camping grill serves as a barbecue, wok, and oven. I took the grill home…
Remembering Irish Adventure Cyclist and Author Dervla Murphy
Buying a bicycle is a momentous event, akin to marriage: you are acquiring a partner. – Dervla Murphy, South From the Limpopo It was no surprise to anyone, including Dervla Murphy herself, that a case of dysentery confined her to bed in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The previous week’s endeavors exposed the Irish cyclist to numerous perils…
Modern Explorers :: Chris Burkard
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2021 Issue. Chris Burkard is best known for his work as an adventure photographer. But in more recent years, he’s built a warranted reputation as an ultra-endurance athlete. In the summer of 2019, he set a new solo record on Iceland’s WOW Cyclothon, completing…
The Legacy of Cyclist Kittie Knox
Photo courtesy of The Referee & Cycle Trade Journal, v. 15 May-Oct. 1895 via the Smithsonian Archives Between the busy streets of Broadway and Binney in Cambridge, Massachusetts, lies a tree-lined path nestled aside red-brick buildings of Harvard University. A sign at the Broadway Street entrance dedicates the paved walkway to Kittie Knox, “…an African…
Tumbleweed Bikes
The bikepacking boom has brought a new era of bikes and components appropriate for the road less travelled, and the Tumbleweed Prospector is one of the very best. Daniel Molloy, the owner of Tumbleweed Bikes, shares a story that is nothing short of extraordinary and provides an inspiring insight into what’s possible when you tirelessly…
An Interview with Ultra-endurance Rider Lael Wilcox
Where to start? It was a privilege to speak with one of the greatest ultra-endurance riders of our time and to get insight into the immense dedication and sacrifice required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. However, this cycling journey was not as linear as perhaps one would expect, whilst being far more diverse…
Field Tested: Micro-Start—The World’s Smallest Jump Starter
Created by Antigravity Batteries, known for high-end lithium batteries, the Micro-start is the first, original mini jump starter. These days, we rely on electronic devices more than ever—even in the middle of nowhere—which is what makes the Micro-start an essential item whenever I walk, drive, or ride two wheels off into an adventure. This pocket-sized…
Leave No Trace—Outdoor Ethics for Riders, Overlanders, and Other Land Users
I was camping in eastern Washington a month ago. We had a gorgeous spot right on a river and plenty of space for three vehicles and six dirt bikes. On arrival, I jumped out of the truck and headed into some trees to relieve my water-filled bladder. Walking a few feet away from camp, I…
Pepper Cook – Book Bike Brew
This is the first in a series of interviews with seasoned bikepackers from all over the world. Pepper Cook is a Salsa Cycles rider, EMT (emergency medical technician), founder of the Worldwide Spoon Exchange, and all-round legend based in Alaska. I’ve been fortunate to spend time with her in Iceland and lucky enough to call…
Why Choose Bikepacking for Your Next Overlanding Trip?
It’s a common misconception that overlanding is restricted to the world of internal combustion when in reality, it more broadly refers to self-reliant travel to remote destinations or to “travel a long distance over land.” As someone who lives in an overlanding truck and loves vehicle exploration, I thought it would be interesting to discuss…
Bikepacking Spain’s Sierra Nevada
In October 2019, I flew from Norway to Málaga for a bikepacking adventure with my girlfriend, Amber, and my good friends Bart and Michalina (familiar to those who read my recent article Bikepacking Scotland). This was a very special ride at the time, but even more so when we returned. It would be Amber’s first…
Bikepacking Iceland
If there’s been one ride that both completely broke me and reaffirmed that bikepacking completes me, it was Iceland. Home to some of the planet’s most active volcanoes, Europe’s largest glacier (Vatnajökull Glacier), geysers, stunning mountains, rugged coastlines, trolls and elves (yep), and, of course, the Icelandic Highlands. This country has gained a legendary reputation…
The Silk Road Mountain Race
Kyrgyzstan has become a mecca for bikepackers around the world. This jaw-droppingly beautiful country, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Central Asia,” has just 29.5 residents for each square kilometre (compared to England’s 432), and the mountainous Tian Shan region covers 80 percent of it (the highest point is Jengish Chokusu 7,439 metres, 24,406 feet)….
Bikepacking Scotland
Scotland is often included in the top 10 most beautiful countries in the world, and for good reason. I still remember the feeling of complete disbelief as I drove up the country’s west coast for the first time. How could these landscapes possibly be adjoined to the same landmass as England? The stark contrast left…
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…
Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication
Product Review—Garmin inReach Satellite Communication First off, a disclaimer: my husband and I used Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication during a round-the-world motorcycle trip that lasted 708 days. DeLorme inReach (bought out by Garmin in 2016) gave us two Explorer devices—one we received on loan; the other we paid for at a 50-percent discount. The company…
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…
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…