Cass Gilbert

There are shakedown rides, and then there are shakedown rides. For their Good Night 2025 campout, Cass and Emma take on a local overnighter to test their bikes, bodies, and gear before heading off to the Colombian Andes. In doing so, Cass remembers all the times he’s ridden up and down the Oaxacan classic known as La Reina, and those he’s shared the experience with, be they on vintage mountain bikes, enduro bikes, or titanium dream machines…

For his Editor’s Dozen, an impending bikepacking trip to Colombia has Cass running through his gear with a fine-tooth comb, seeing what makes the cut. Find a tent, a GPS unit, a nut butter knife, and even a three gram bidet, plus personal highlights, favourite tours, bike mods, and more in his wide-ranging list of top picks for 2025…

Updating our original Surly Bridge Club review six years after it was first published, we’re revisiting the enduring budget-friendly platform to see how its promise of versatility has withstood the test of time. Find Cass and Neil’s two-in-one video and written review of the Bridge club as it takes on commuting, camping, dirt touring, and everything in between…

Following 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…

Seeking 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…

In 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…

Filling 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…

Is 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…

After 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…

How 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…