Cass Gilbert
Contributing Editor

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*CURRENTLY FOR ROUTES ONLY (MORE SOON)Following 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.
After 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.
The 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.
The 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…
Here’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…
After 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.
Treating 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.