Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Cass Gilbert
While Out Riding
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118 mi. / 190 km3-4 daysOjos de Cuicatlan (TCBR, Sur)
9 Jan 10 Cass Gilbert Latin AmericaThe Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserve is located in southeastern Mexico, set within the arid climes of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Being split between two states - Puebla and Oaxaca - we've put together two distinct loops accessed from each capital, showcasing both the rich biodiversity in the area and its cultural identity. Given the fluctuations in altitude, the South Loop is especially varied, sharing much of the desert flora that can be seen in the North Loop - including the reserve's ionic columnar cacti - as well as lofty oak forests and low-lying river valleys, where guacamayas verdes soar through the sky at sunrise and sunset. -
Cale and his Custom S&S Waltworks
15 Dec 24 Cass Gilbert / plogIt’s always a pleasure to meet up with old friends. Cass enjoys the chance to entertain a bikepacking and foodie amigo in Oaxaca, the perfect locale to ride bikes and eat fine fare. And Cale brings a wonderful custom Waltworks along for the trip. Read on to find more about Cale and his partner Melissa’s bikes, complete with S&S couplings, portage handles, and back-friendly geometries…
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A Winter Bikepacking Guide by Dave Gray
32 Dec 16 Cass Gilbert / gear-listsAs a cyclist with over two decades of all-weather commuting, and a veteran of ten Arrowhead 135s – Minnesota’s winter ultra race – we asked Dave Gray, former Surly product designer and general off-grid survivalist, to share his packlist and tips for winter bikepacking…
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Editor’s Dozen: Cass’ 2021 Picks
54 Dec 10 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesCass shares his rundown of gear favourites and more from 2021, including mini panniers, a magic carpet bike, a burly cargo rack ‘n’ milk crate, shiny carving knives, a memory catcher, and bikepacking with a once-abandoned hound…
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Bedrock Cairn 3D Pro II Review: Escape the Toe Prison!
44 Dec 3 Cass Gilbert / apparelAfter relocating to Mexico, Cass Gilbert rediscovers the joy of cycling in sandals in the dry season and the rainy season alike. For those planning to ride the Baja Divide this winter, or heading to a similarly warm locale, read on for his full review of Bedrock’s Cairn 3D Pro II sandals…
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244 mi. / 393 km6-7 daysSan Jose del Pacifico Grand Dirt Tour, Oaxaca
74 Nov 25 Cass Gilbert Latin AmericaMexico is blessed with an abundance of dirt roads and Oaxaca is a wonderful place to enjoy them. From rural terracerías to forested two-track, from to tlayuda pit stops to mushroom foraging, the San José del Pacífico Grand Dirt Tour has a little of everything this remarkable state has to offer. And, because it begins and ends in Oaxaca de Juaréz, the state's capital and a beautiful mountain city that's a destination in its own right, we've included five dirt road day rides into the surrounding valleys too, as well as additional bikepacking options to extend your trip to the region. -
Tailfin Mini Cage Review
17 Nov 25 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesJoining the ever-growing ranks of Tailfin gear comes the Mini Cage, a chopped-in-half version of their Small Cargo Cage that’s designed to carry anything from an inner tube, to a tool kit, to a water bottle, to a Nalgene bottle. Cass Gilbert spent a few months with one permanently affixed to his bike, and reports in for this review…
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Frost+Sekers Quick-Lock Mount and Saddlebag Review
16 Nov 17 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesFor those who favour traditional saddlebags to carry their cargo but find fitting and removing them a pain, Frost and Sekers’ stainless steel mounting system adds a classic aesthetic and genuine practicality to your ride, be it for commuting or weekends away. Cass Gilbert took it out on the UK’s Purbeck Bimble and bounced around Mexico’s dirt roads for this review…
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Sage, Befriender of Feral Dogs
16 Nov 12 Cass Gilbert / plogCass Gilbert and his son Sage head out on an overnighter in Mexico. Their mission? To camp out with a view. Listen to music. Eat tacos, memelas, and ice cream. Spend time together. And feed street dogs…
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Mouton’s E.T. 24″ Separable Bikepacking & Paragliding Rig
12 Nov 5 Cass Gilbert / bikesJust when you thought our coverage of the wonderful Concours de Machines 2021 was over (and Bespoked, for that matter), we bring you one last and especially fascinating bike. Mouton Cycles’ E.T., so named because of its unlikely aspirations for flight, is a separable hardtail that sports “unfashionable” 24-inch wheels, a Pinion drivetrain, Santana Z Couplers, and a truss-like rear rack complete with kevlar lines…
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Tailfin Suspension Fork Mounts: First Impressions
53 Oct 28 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesWe’ve been impressed with Tailfin’s growing range of bikepacking baggage over the last few years. The latest accessory to join the fold is the Suspension Fork Mount, allowing those who favour suspension for their bikepacking adventures to carry additional cargo cages, water bottle cages, or even both at once. Find all the details here, along with our first impressions of the premium carbon version…
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498 mi. / 801 km9 daysNew Mexico Off-Road Runner
192 Oct 25 Cass Gilbert USARunning parallel to the Rio Grande, the New Mexico Off-Road Runner connects Santa Fe and Las Cruces via 500 miles of dirt, gravel, desert, and paved roads. En route, it strikes a satisfying blend of historical intrigue and raw beauty, both of which abound in the Land of Enchantment. Expect ponderosa forests, high desert flora, sun-bleached trucks, and forlorn ghost towns, all set beneath the region's dramatic, starry skies...
