Before we left, we were repeatedly discouraged by others and by the media. Everyone said these were not safe countries for women to travel in, that a trip like this would be too physically demanding for women, one person even said we would come home in pine boxes. Despite these messages, we overcame our fears and…
Bikepacking: Maintenance Tips for a Fuss-free Trip
When bikepacking started to gain momentum roughly 10 years ago, concerns over bike reliability were not just overstated, they were wildly overblown. The reality is, most bikepacking trips clock in at well under 500 miles—if not fewer than 200. If your bike can’t survive a week of use without catastrophic failure, you need to rethink…
First Ride: REI Co-Op DRT 2.1 Mountain Bike
Although it had been around for ages, it was high time for REI to retire the Novara bicycle line. Discerning cyclists never really warmed to the label, quick to dismiss it as an entry-level house brand. To be fair, that is essentially what it was. For 2017, REI made the decision to give their bike department…
Bikepacking: The What, Why, and How to Pack
I break down my gear list from soup to nuts.
Field Tested: Rocky Mounts SwitchHitter
With the proliferation of wagons, crossovers, and SUVs, the hitch rack has become the most ubiquitous type of bike hauler, but there are still occasions when a roof-mounted bike rack is preferred. For long road trips I tend to portage my bikes aloft as it frees up the back of my car providing unfettered access…
White Rim in a Day
The word “epic” gets thrown around way too much these days in the adventure realm – and rarely is it used accurately. But there are quite a few truly epic one-day mountain bike rides in this country for which the word is spot on, and the White Rim Trail (WRT) in Moab Utah is a…
Beyond the Truck: Defeat and Retreat in John’s Canyon
When my headlamp flickered one last time and everything went inky black, I wouldn’t say I panicked, but I was definitely not stoked. I stood in the darkness and looked up, the edges of the canyon walls made visible only by an outline of twinkling stars. With no moon, it was damn dark. I plucked…
Trail Tested: Diamond Back El Oso Grande Fatbike
Give into it. Get fat this year.
The Widening World of Mountain Bike Wheels
Which wheel size is best? Is it 26, 27.5 or 29-inch? Should you go skinny, chubby or full fatty?
Long Term Wrap Up: Salsa Beargrease with Lauf Carbonara Fork
My hyper light fatbike gets a funky front end and carbon fiber hoops.
Trail Tested: Kuat NV 2.0 with Rak Attach Swing-Out Mount
We paired Kuat’s latest rack to a swing-out mount. It’s a killer combo.
Hitch Rack Shootout
After more than two years of testing, I declare one bike rack – the best of them all.
Uganda: Bikes, Blood and Dirt
Discovering Africa’s treasures one pedal stroke at a time.
Trail Tested: Rocky Mountain Instinct BC Edition
Born on the North Shore but perfectly at home in the Southwest.
Rite of Passage
Crossing the Country One Bike Trail at a Time
VOTD: Flashes of the Altai
Traversing the expansive wild places of Mongolia.
Company Profile: Nemo Equipment
We visit New England’s premiere outdoor gear manufacturer.
Bikepacking: Five MIPS Equipped Helmets to Protect Your Mellon
MIPS technology has made helmets even safer. Which one is best for your head?
Field Tested: Nemo Equipment Apollo, Moonwalk, and Escape Pod
The first shelter and sleep system designed for bikepacking.
Trail Tested: 2016 Salsa Spearfish XO1 Carbon
The chili pepper bike built for logging long miles