Cass Gilbert

In homage to the fat bike and the places his beloved Pugsley has taken him, Cass spends a day and a night exploring the arroyos of Abiquiu, New Mexico. He shares thoughts on this slow, ponderous, yet poetic beast, whose true potential lies in its mystic ability to open minds, transcend trails, and reveal the most unexpected of places…

After years of riding in 5.10’s classic Freeriders, Cass thinks it’s time to give another trail shoe a go: Bontrager’s Flatlines. After six months of use, find out how he got on, and whether their Vibram tread survived the rigours of bikepacking, city sidewalks, and regular trail riding…

To practise what he preaches, Cass heads out for solo overnighter to ring in the decade. Out in the Chihuahuan Desert, he ponders the way in which bikepacking reveals the underbelly of a land, how it serves to remind us that we inhabit a planet in crisis, and how it might just be the perfect catalyst for change…

In this feature story, originally published in the first issue of our printed publication, The Bikepacking Journal, Cass Gilbert reflects on how slowing down and thinking about the foods he eats has given him a deeper connection to the people and places he encounters while traveling…

In “The Power of the Overnighter,” Cass explores how a Little Trip can be just as rewarding as The Big Trip. After all, there’s no better way to recharge our own batteries than reconnecting with the outdoors for a night. Plus, find ideas and tips on how to plan your own overnight escape…

Just announced: a titanium version of the Jones Plus SWB, available in a diamond frame, space frame, and truss fork configurations!

It’s always hard to squeeze everything we like most into our Awards series. So this year, we’re adding in an Editor’s Dozen – gear, routes, and more – that didn’t make it into our main roundup posts. To kick off, here’s Cass’ pick of 2019, covering family bikepacking, a cargo plus bike, favourite routes, fancy carbon wheels, a Dyneema hip pack, a magic bungee cord, and more…

Cass’ world is rocked – relatively speaking – by Schwalbe’s G-One Allround, a tire that will transform sometimes slovenly ‘plus’ bikes into fast, gravel-munching machines…

After attending Bombtracks’ yearly Groundwork event, Cass purloins a Bombtrack Hook EXT and takes it bikepacking in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, and Wales. With a number of trips under his belt, as well as fast gravel days rides and even a few road outings in the bag, here are his thoughts on this steel and carbon adventure bike…

What’s your excuse for getting a group of friends together and enjoying a couple of nights out bikepacking? A birthday? The longest day of the year? Or a friend leaving town? Back in the Land of Enchantment, Cass heads out with his New Mexican compadres for a farewell ride amongst the piñons, junipers, red dirt… and sunset dust.

Cass gives the premium-priced AeroPack – Tailfin’s cross between a racktop bag and a modern seatpack – a thorough thrashing. After a few months bouncing across the roughest trails he can find in the UK, here are his deep dive findings…