Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Cass Gilbert
Contributing Editor
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60 mi. / 97 km2 daysThe LA Observer, California.
87 Mar 2 Cass Gilbert USAThe LA Observer is a short foray into the city's neighbouring Angeles National Park, via the unexpectedly steep and rugged folds of the San Gabriel Mountains. Reaching over 5,000ft at times, it offers bouts of flowing singletrack and a medley of abandoned dirt roads, set to one sweeping panorama after another. Time your ride right and it also promises the chance to ogle at Los Angeles' endless sea of illumination at dusk, or even from the comforts of your tent at nightfall... -
2017 Surly Ogre Review: ETs, Molokos, 27.5+, and a braze-on fiesta…
134 Feb 27 Cass Gilbert / bikesFollowing the Troll’s recent revamp, it was only a matter of time before Surly’s 29er all-rounder, the Ogre, underwent a similar transformation. Read on to discover details of its 2017 incarnation and thoughts on its frameset, set up with 27.5+ wheels. Also included are musings on the relative merits of different Plus sizes, depending on the style of your backcountry explorations.
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Pedal to Peaks 2: Norway
7 Jan 24 Cass Gilbert / videoAfter saying he’d never do it again… Brody Leven returns for another round of Pedal to Peaks high adventure! This time, his human-powered exploits take him across a 350-mile archipelago in Norway. In the winter. Climbing and skiing whatever mountains he finds in his path. Find out how it transpired, unexpected twists, turns and all, in Joey Schusler’s new film.
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Introducing Tumbleweed Bicycle Co: Meet the Prospector
30 Jan 18 Cass Gilbert / cultureThe Prospector is Tumbleweed’s upcoming fat/plus/Rohloff do-it-all expedition bike. We find out more about the company, learn what it takes to set up a micro brand, and share some first impressions on the bike itself.
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Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Review: Andes to Caucasus
41 Jan 11 Cass Gilbert / gearThe Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 is a minimal, pyramid-style shelter, constructed in the US from top grade cuben fiber and rated for four season mountain use. But given its eyebrow-raisingly high price tag, is it really worth the investment? After using it for several months, bikepacking across both the Bolivian Andes and the Georgian Caucasus, here’s why we think it is…
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764 mi. / 1,230 km25 daysTrans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route: Singletrack Version
72 Nov 22 Cass GilbertThe Trans Ecuador Mountain Bike Route - TEMBR - is a remote, backcountry ride that runs the length of Ecuador's volcanic corridor. There are two versions of the route. One knits together predominantly non-technical dirt roads. This is the more demanding, singletrack and hike-a-bike alternative, linking ancient footpaths, horse trails and open páramo. As such, it's uncompromising in its dedication to connecting the country via the road less traveled. Prepare to be challenged!
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493 mi. / 793 km16 daysRuta de Las Tres Cordilleras, Bolivia and Peru
83 Oct 30 Cass Gilbert Latin AmericaAs the name suggests, the Ruta de las Tres Cordilleras is a ride that revolves around three mountain ranges - the Cordillera Real, the Cordillera Apolobamba and the Cordillera Vilcanota. It connects the mountain settlements of Sorata in Bolivia to Pitumarca in Peru, providing a beautiful and incredibly remote, high elevation traverse between the two countries, as well as an assortment of Andean passes, backcountry singletrack, and a few committing hike-a-bikes. -
Little Trail Hunter: Family Bikepacking with Matt and Robbie Hunter
6 Oct 11 Cass Gilbert / videoHere’s one for all those bikepacking parents out there. We couldn’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside seeing freestyle rider Matt Hunter and his son Robbie’s local overnighter. It’s a great reminder that there’s no better way to connect with your child than by experiencing a family campout. Prepare to be inspired by the simple things in life: a mellow bike ride, an afternoon fishing, the warm crackle of a fire, and a night under the stars…
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258 mi. / 415 km5 daysLos Tres Volcanes, Ecuador
48 Sep 20 Cass Gilbert'Los Tres Volcanes' is a challenging, high altitude bikepacking route that connects Ecuador's most iconic volcanoes: the perfectly conical Cotopaxi, the impressive crater lake of Quilatoa, and lofty Chimborazo. Terrain covers everything the Ecuadorian highlands have to offer, from dirt roads, singletrack and open páramo, to cobblestones and hike-a-bikes. Throw in regional cuisine and a thriving market scene, and you have all the ingredients for a fabulous ride. -
Specialized Diverge Review: Asphalt Revisited.
21 Sep 8 Cass Gilbert / bikesAfter a few months with the Specialized Diverge – both full throttle down desert blacktop and along meandering New Mexican dirt roads – we find out if this All Road rig is true to its name’s dictionary definition.
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Sea to Summit Insulated Air Mat & Ember Eb1 Quilt review: A minimal sleep system.
8 Sep 1 Cass Gilbert / gearTreating your air mattress and sleeping bag as a complete system, rather than two separate entities, frees up a considerable amount of space on your bikepacking rig. It also helps trim back valuable weight. We head into the hills with Sea To Summit’s Ember Eb1 quilt and UltraLight Insulated Mattress, to find out if this lean setup is enough for a comfortable night’s sleep.
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232 mi. / 373 km5-6 daysLa Gira de Sur Yungas, Bolivia
55 Aug 3 Cass GilbertComing as a verdant antidote to Bolivia's barren Altiplano, a tour of the South Yungas makes a perfect accompaniment to any Bolivian bikepack. In stark contrast to the country's high elevation plateaux, expect abundant greenery, dust, sweat... and coco leaves.
