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Tailfin 5L and 10L Mini Pannier Review
62 Aug 19 Cass Gilbert / bikepacking-bagsDesigned to work with their own baggage system and racks from other brands, Tailfin’s 5L and 10L Mini Panniers are the latest addition to an ever-expanding range. Cass Gilbert tried out a sample set for a few months before their official launch. Read on for full details on how they performed and some longterm feedback on the AeroPack itself…
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Introducing Buckhorn Bags: A Splash of Color
12 Aug 16 Cass Gilbert / bikepacking-bagsFive years after his last custom framebag, Cass Gilbert tries one of Buckhorn’s made-to-measure bags for size, adding a splash of color to his bike. He talks about the bag, the process of ordering one, and considers why going custom can be such a satisfying experience, especially when the maker is local and rides the same trails as you do…
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New Jones LWB Complete and SWB Complete V2
30 Aug 10 Cass Gilbert / newsJones’ SWB and LWB Completes feature significantly improved build kits… but the price has gone up too. Find all the details here, along with an analysis of the changes…
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PS Bagworks: A Camera Carrying System
63 Aug 5 Cass Gilbert / accessoriesHow best to carry a camera on a bikepacking trip is an age-old quandary. With its wide range of options and price points, PS Bagworks’ interchangeable Rider Strap and Wrist Strap have been working out well for Cass Gilbert. In this review, he explains why…
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Cjell Mone and his La Roca
23 Jul 19 Cass Gilbert / bikesAfter a two-week tour through the Oaxacan mountains, Cass Gilbert gets the lowdown on Cjell Moné and his custom 5-speed La Roca, complete with an attention-grabbing Lefty fork. We ask him where he and his distinctive brand, Mone Bikes, are headed next. And we talk bread trucks, coaster brake hop-up kits, ’80s mountain bikes, and getting more people on bikes…
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Cass’ Jones SWB and Weekend Packlist
75 Jul 7 Cass Gilbert / gearCass Gilbert gives us a rundown of the only bike he’s ridden for the last 18 months, a dreamy Jones SWB. Find out what parts have worn out and what he’d do differently next time. Also, check out his complete lightweight gear list for relaxing weekend trips into the nearby mountains and exploring his new home. Read on for more…
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A Velodyssey to Pilat
24 Jul 2 Cass Gilbert / plogCass Gilbert sets out to repeat a bicycle trip he tackled early in his touring career… a journey to the highest sand dune in Europe. More than 20 years on, he hopes his son Sage will enjoy riding to France’s towering Dune de Pilat as much as he did. Also, find Sage’s full packlist from the trip and a reflection on the Argos technical tartan rug from back in the day…
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Route Report: La Magia de Ixtepeji
17 Jun 24 Cass Gilbert / plogIt had been a long time coming: After relocating to Oaxaca, Mexico, Cass Gilbert shares a favorite local route with visiting friends, savoring the time-honored tradition of revealing treasured trails to visitors… and sharing the best tlayudas and tortas in town. Find his route report and a vibrant selection of photos here…
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156 mi. / 251 km3-4 days
Oaxaca Escondida (Oaxaca a Puerto Escondido)
105 Jun 10 Cass Gilbert Latin AmericaIf you long to dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean—or maybe you enjoy surfing as much as you love riding your bike—then this classic Mexican mountains-to-sea route is sure to appeal. Taking you from the heart of Oaxaca city to the state's craggy coastline, it promises a long weekend of fine riding, camping, and dining. For those with more time to spend in the area, we've included a recommended route extension via the Mitla valley, which adds in a cultural component to the ride. -
Bikepacking and Bikepaths: The Beach is Our Destiny
30 Jun 4 Cass Gilbert / plogCass Gilbert spends a near perfect holiday touring with his son Sage around France’s delightful Île de Ré, pondering the merits of traffic-free riding for family adventures, whatever the surfaces may be. If kite flying, beachcombing, oyster sampling, and ice cream eating sound like your idea of an appealing summer escape, you’ll likely enjoy yourself there as much as he and his son did, too…
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The Burrally and Spain’s Remarkable Rights of Way
35 May 26 Cass Gilbert / plogSpain is nothing less than a dirt-touring utopia, especially in Valencia, where the Burrally showcases the country’s abundant beauty, the richness of its culture, and its extensive network of gravel roads. Cass Gilbert reports in from his time along the route and celebrates Europe’s remarkable rights of way…
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Low Waste Bikepacking: Full Power Vegan Cookie Dough
15 May 14 Cass Gilbert / foodOriginally developed as an efficient way of getting chocolate into her mouth during the hot summer months, Emma’s Full Power Cookie Dough offers the enjoyment of snacking in a convenient and reusable jar. Simply take a scoop at the foot of a climb and watch your legs go! It’s wrapper-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free too. Find the recipe here…