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…
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…
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…
Overland News of the Week
Mac’s Tie Downs Monkey Face Mac’s Tie Downs’ latest offering is a nifty little device called the Monkey Face, designed to make securing cargo even simpler for folks with stake pockets. The .375-inch laser-cut steel tie-down interface is welded to a .1875-inch square steel tube (which secures in stake pockets with an included linchpin), and…
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,…
Field Tested :: Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Binoculars
Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Binoculars Fuss and bother are two elements I can live without when it comes to gear, and these binoculars from Nocs Provisions, lovingly conceived in San Francisco’s Citadel of Excitement, fit the bill. First off, they come in a small, recycled cardboard box put together without glue—easy to…
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…
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…
Overland News of the Week
Ötzi Adventure Gear Spark Flatpack Portable Grill Bringing the barbecue along on off-road adventures can present a bit of a dilemma if you have limited space. But with Otzi’s flatpack portable grill and 9- by 9-inch footprint (when packed flat), there’s no reason to leave it behind. The Spark is made of precision-cut pieces of…
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…
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…
Overland News of the Week
Kuju Single-serve Pour-over Coffee Finding the motivation to crawl out of your rooftop tent or campervan in the morning can be challenging. But I speak from experience when I say that Kuju Coffee’s single-serve pour-over coffee is a great motivator to get out of bed. They offer six different options: a traditional light, medium, or…
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,…
Overland News of the Week
GoSun Brew If you think there are too many coffee gadgets available to us caffeine-loving, shaky-handed, hot-drink enthusiasts, I hate to break it to you, but you’re wrong. There are never enough coffee gadgets (wink, wink). And if you are one of those folks who like to brew coffee on the go, then say hello…
Overland News of the Week
Kahtoola EXOspikes If you’re one of those people who don’t like to let snow and ice slow you down, having traction devices for your footwear is a simple, low-cost investment that will go a long way. Kahtoola makes many high-quality devices, but their new EXOspikes seek to improve on previous designs with better traction and…
Hudski Debuts Doggler Bicycle in Three Purpose-built Configs
Bicycles have gotten pretty fancy lately, with electronic shifting, battery-powered pedal assist, and complex geometries all created in an effort to make the riding experience…better? But with electronic components and complex systems, there are ultimately more opportunities for component failures. This is where Sausalito, California, based bicycle company Hudski has bucked the trend and offered…