Cass Gilbert
While Out Riding
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2020 Bombtrack Audax and Audax AL: First Impressions
26 Aug 19 Cass Gilbert / bikesContinuing our coverage from Bombtrack’s Groundwork launch event: If you’re in the market for a bike primed for bikepacking and gravel riding, you’d be forgiven for thinking Bombtrack’s Audax range doesn’t tick the relevant boxes. But don’t be misled by the name, which suggests long distance, road-based randonneuring… because these bikes can do a whole lot more than that.
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First impressions on the 2020 Bombtrack Hook EXT, EXT-C, and ADV
47 Aug 16 Cass Gilbert / bikesCass Gilbert heads out to rooty, doubletrack-laced Bergisches Land to try out some of Bombtrack’s 2020 range of bikes. Here are his thoughts on the burly, gravel-chomping, bikepacking-friendly Hook EXT and EXT-C, as well as the (slightly oddball) Hook ADV…
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Amanda and her Salsa Fargo Plus Bike
21 Aug 7 Cass Gilbert / bikesWe chat to Amanda Andros about the European bikepacking tour she’s currently sharing with her partner Chris, and find out which routes they’ve ridden so far, where they’re headed to next, and what motivates her to bikepack rather than tour more traditionally. Plus, Amanda shares some one-pot recipe ideas to help stay happy and healthy on the road…
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61 mi. / 98 km2 daysPurbeck Bimble, Dorset UK
16 Aug 1 Cass Gilbert EuropeAs the name suggests, the Purbeck Bimble isn’t a mile-crunching sufferfest. Rather, it's an exploratory ramble that uncovers almost every nook and cranny of Dorset's beguiling Isle of Purbeck. Because despite its modest proportions, this petite parcel of Dorset land is filled with many treasures, be it roller-coasting bridleways, a crumbling castle, quirky place names, spectacular ridge riding, gorgeous swimming coves, or fine local fare. -
A First MGB (Multi Generational Bikepack)
23 Jul 31 Cass Gilbert / plogCass Gilbert reminds us that it’s never too late to start bikepacking. In his first multi-generational tour, he, his six-year-old son, and his seventy-three-year-old mum enjoy three days bike riding and camping around the gravel paths of the New Forest. Plus, hints and tips for planning something similar, and a map of the route.
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70 mi. / 113 km2.5 daysThe Brecons Bash, South Wales
13 Jul 25 Cass Gilbert EuropeEasily reached by train from Bristol and Cardiff, the Brecons Bash is a route that connects two of the Brecon Beacons National Park’s classic ‘Killer Loops’, with some honest-to-goodness, Roughstuff-style bike pushing in between. Expect 17th Century drovers’ roads, ribbons of grassy, ridgetop singletrack, and during the summer, bountiful harvests of wild winberries... -
63 mi. / 101 km2 daysNew Forest Gravel Taster, UK
40 Jul 18 Cass Gilbert EuropeThe UK's (not so) New Forest makes a great locale for those dipping their toes in gravel riding, or anyone wishing to escape the Big Smoke for the night, and enjoy some forest bathing... bikepacking style. Of course, slow food is a big part of slow travel, so we've woven in local favourite eateries to this beautiful, mellow route too. -
Solo Stove Lite Review: twig powered cooking
65 Jul 12 Cass Gilbert / gearCass tries his hand at cooking with the Solo Stove Lite, an ultralight cooking system that uses twigs, leaves, and other forms of biomass to generate heat. Read on to find out how it fares in both perfectly dry Spanish conditions, and less than ideal UK drizzle…
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A Mini Vuelta de Vasco; Sierra de Urbasa with a child
50 Jul 9 Cass Gilbert / gear-listsInspired by the Vuelta de Vasco bikepacking route, Cass and his family head off to the Basque Country to bite off a chunk of the ride, crossing Spain’s Sierra de Urbasa in western Navarre by way of high plateaux, lush forest, Vías Verdes, and druid stones. Here’s some insights into the nuts and bolts of the trip, along with six-year-old Sage’s full packlist, details of his rig, and their core family camping gear…
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Announcing the Jones Plus LWB Complete
6 Jun 27 Cass Gilbert / newsIntroducing the new Jones Plus LWB Complete, a ready to roll version of the 29+ fully rigid all rounder, now ringing in at $2050…
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Jones Plus SWB Complete Review: Less $, Jones Magic
62 Jun 27 Cass Gilbert / bikesOnce the domain of the fully fledged bike nerd, Jones’ Plus SWB Complete has opened up a very distinctive bike to a far broader audience. After spending half a year riding one, Cass Gilbert reports on his findings…
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Alpkit PipeDream 200 + Cloud Base: A Wallet-Friendly Ultralight Sleep System
16 Jun 19 Cass Gilbert / gearReducing the weight and bulk of core gear and adopting a minimal bikepacking setup can require significant investment. So, it’s always good to try ultralight gear that’s aimed towards the more affordable end of the market. Here are our thoughts on a summer pairing from Alpkit: the PipeDream 200 down sleeping bag and the Cloud Base air mattress…
