Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Cass Gilbert
Contributing Editor
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Editor’s Dozen: Cass’ Favorite Gear and More of 2024
32 Dec 19 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesFollowing a year of sharing adventures with his son and friends, Cass Gilbert reflects on some of his standout items and ideas in his 2024 Editor’s Dozen. He also offers an update on how his picks from last year have fared up to today. Find new favorites from rides around Mexico, England, France, Colorado, and beyond here…
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New Adventures With Old Gear in Santa Fe
26 Apr 11 Cass Gilbert / plogSeeking a two wheeled spring break adventure, Cass and his son Sage return to New Mexico after a number of years away, to reacquaint themselves with the city’s bike paths and spend a night under enchanting skies. Read on for a story about a family campout on the Caja del Rio, and a visit to an emporium of preloved outdoor gear that is sure to delight both parents and children alike…
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Geologist Seth and his Tumbleweed Prospector
31 Mar 15 Cass Gilbert / bikesIn our latest Rider and Rig feature, we catch up with geologist, educator, and route builder Seth Kruckenberg, creator of several fabulous desert rides published on this site. As well as dissecting his all-terrain, Rohloff-powered Tumbleweed Prospector—a stunning build that includes an unusual but elegant set of handlebars—Seth shares insightful tips on understanding geological terrain and using topography for route creation so you can plan spectacular trips of your own. Find it all here…
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Tailfin 16L Mini Pannier Review: From Bikepacking to Commuting
24 Feb 22 Cass Gilbert / bikepacking-bagsFilling a gap in their ever-expanding lineup, Tailfin’s latest Mini Pannier offers 16L of rattle-free storage, aiming to provide a Goldilocks size that suits everything from bikepacking trips to grocery runs to laptop-loaded commutes. After spending several months with a pre-production version in the run-up to their launch, Cass reports in with some long-term findings…
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240 mi. / 386 km6 daysThe Coconino Loop
108 Dec 26 Cass Gilbert USAThe Coconino Loop is a challenging route through Coconino County in Northern Arizona that treats you to some of the best trails in the area, including segments of the AZT and a taste of the red rock singletrack and (mystical) world of Sedona... -
Editor’s Dozen: Cass’ Favorite Gear of 2023
60 Dec 8 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesIs it that time of year again? After a busy 12 months of travel and time on two wheels in several countries, Cass kicks off our annual Editor’s Dozen gear picks with his roundup of favourite bikes, components, accessories, clothing, and more. Find out which old and new pieces earned top marks in 2023 here…
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Islabikes to Cease Production
12 Oct 30 Cass Gilbert / newsAfter a turbulent time over the last few years, the UK-based children’s bike specialists at Islabikes have announced that the company will cease sale and production of bikes once remaining stocks are sold. Find more details here…
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The Woods Cyclery Shop Visit, Coffee Ride, and Campout
20 Oct 26 Cass Gilbert / cultureHow do you wrap up a great summer in the UK? Well, you could go camping with newfound friends, ride into darkness, awaken at sunrise, make coffee outside, hang out in a bike shop, join the Sunday ride, drink more coffee, and then pedal home. Cass swings by the UK’s New Forest for the full experience of The Woods Cyclery. Read on for our shop visit, a route, and a dissection of shop owner Tom Farrel’s gorgeous Rivendell Appaloosa…
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160 mi. / 257 km6 daysLa Vuelta de Citlaltepetl
47 Oct 19 Cass Gilbert Latin AmericaLa Vuelta de Citlaltépetl is a challenging bikepacking route that encircles Mexico's highest peak. Set within the Parque Nacional Pico de Orizaba, the loop ranges significantly in elevation, from lush and humid coffee plantations at just 900 meters to a volcanic moonscape at 4,000+ meters, with remarkable biodiversity and terrain variation in between. The route even includes an ascent of the 4,580-meter Volcán Sierra Negra (Tliltépetl) via the country's highest motorable road... -
Transcendental Weight
27 Sep 29 Cass Gilbert / plogTrail treats or bikepacking bliss? In this report from the UK, Cass wrestles with his love of bikepacking and equal fondness for trail riding. Do you stop and go, or flow? Perhaps, he concludes, the answer is to do both, on the very same trip. Find his story here…
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Around Mount Mansfield with Sage and Two Journals
34 Sep 15 Cass Gilbert / plogCass and his 10-year-old son Sage head off for a bikepacking loop around Vermont’s Mount Mansfield, following forest roads, trails, and bike paths. Between Monty Python reenactments, stealth camping, and searching for pizza, they follow a family tradition of journaling and blogging, sharing this dueling narrative of the experience…
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114 mi. / 183 km2-3 daysBear Bones Border Bash
5 Sep 6 Cass Gilbert EuropeComplementing the Bear Bones Bash to the west, the Bear Bones Border Bash strikes east towards England, tracing Offa's Dyke, the Gywdyr Way, the Trans Cambrian, and the Heart of Wales Trail. En route, it takes in a rich assortment of classic Mid Wales terrain, including rugged heathland yomps, gravel forest roads, hilly but quiet back lanes, grassy singletrack, and bridleways of every flavour...
