Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Cass Gilbert
Contributing Editor
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Fast Forward: The Film + Behind the Scenes with Lael Wilcox
8 Feb 26 Cass Gilbert / Bikepacking VideosOne of three short films commissioned by outdoor co-op REI, Fast Forward is a beautifully shot account of Divide record holder Lael Wilcox’s attempt to race the Arizona Trail. But more than this, it’s an insight into her philosophy on life, her motivation to ‘ride fast’, and an inspirational story that will doubtless have you reaching for your bike, whether it’s to race, or explore the world.
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61 mi. / 98 km 1.5 daysA night on the Caja del Rio, New Mexico
32 Feb 23 Cass Gilbert USASituated 15 miles to the west of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Caja del Rio is a high desert volcanic plateau, ringed by cliffs and escarpments, bordered by the Rio Grande, and flanked by the distant protrusions of the Jemez and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Given that the area is predominantly National Forest and laced with a tangle of dirt roads and cow trails, it makes a compact playground for mini-adventures; one that's just a short ride out of Santa Fe, or a convenient train ride from Albuquerque. -
Bedrock Entrada Review: the strapping handlebar bag
2 Feb 5 Cass Gilbert / Bikepacking BagsBedrock’s Entrada Handlebar Bag with Pocket is a medium sized handlebar rollbag, built to tackle the roughest of backcountry bikepacking…
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Blackburn Wayside Multi-Tool Review: Frustration-free wrenching
15 Feb 1 Cass Gilbert / AccessoriesBlackburn’s Wayside Multi-Tool has bikepacking in mind; the 19 function design includes a serrated knife blade for trailside picnics, and detachable hex keys for frustration-free wrenching.
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102 mi. / 164 km 2-3 daysBilly the Kid and Smokey Bear, New Mexico
90 Jan 28 Cass Gilbert USANestled in the crook of a deep and chiseled valley, Ruidoso, New Mexico, isn't a place you'd likely find yourself by chance – unless you were seeking out the most southerly ski resort in the US. Set in the mellow yet undeniably beautiful Lincoln National Forest, its Sierra Blanca peak erupts from the brittle plains of the Chihuahua Desert, towering almost 12,000 ft above sea level. -
Maxxis Mammoth Review: Two months in Mongolia
12 Jan 22 Cass Gilbert / Bikepacking GearWe took the Maxxis Mammoth fat bike tire on a two month trip around Mongolia. Given that durability is as important as performance on an overseas, backcountry trip – particularly where spares are in short supply – here’s how it fared…
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Bricks and Bikepacking: Oveja Negra
9 Jan 14 Cass Gilbert / CultureOn a recent trip to Colorado, we checked in on Monty and Lane Willson, of Oveja Negra, and asked them a few questions about bikepacking, their business, and their inspirations.
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Surly Wednesday Review: Sun, sand & snow in New Mexico
62 Jan 8 Cass Gilbert / Bikepacking BikesSibling to both the classic Pugsley and the goliath Ice Cream Truck, the Wednesday is Surly’s latest addition to its fleet of fat bikes – or Omniterras, as it prefers to call them. Over the last couple of months, we’ve taken one bikepacking, snow riding, and arroyo exploring around the high desert of northern New Mexico.
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45 mi. / 72 km 2-3 daysAusangate Traverse, Peru
15 Jan 5 Cass Gilbert Latin AmericaThe Ausangate Traverse can hardly claim to be the longest of bikepacks in Peru. But it is, arguably, the most beautiful. Skirting the mountain's south eastern flank, it offers some of the most dramatic vistas in the Peruvian Andes, and makes for a perfect compliment to explorations around the ancient Incan capital of Cusco, and nearby Machu Picchu. -
Bikepacking The Mongolian Steppe: The Film & Its Maker
12 Dec 23 Cass Gilbert / Bikepacking VideosBikepacking the Mongolian Steppe is a beautiful, intimate look at four riders’ adventure through the heart of Mongolia. Watch it here and gain a behind the scenes perspective from Jay Ritchey about making the film, and the gear he used…
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Roll Up, Roll Up… Half Price Surly Omniterras!
16 Dec 11 Cass Gilbert / CultureEver wondered what it’s like to ride through snow, crawl through sand, traverse bog, or float over corrugation? Surly have just announced a 50% price cut on several of their most capable omniterras. If you’ve felt that fat bike itch, perhaps this is the time to scratch it…
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Bikepacking Cuisine: Thai Salmon Curry
4 Dec 7 Cass Gilbert / Bikepacking FoodWe all know the importance of a full belly at the end of the day to ride-weary bikepackers. And while pretty much everything tastes great after hours in the saddle, in this series of bikepacking recipes, we’ll be suggesting simple, nutritious and easy-to-cook camping cuisine that will help ‘up’ your culinary game.
