OK, I am slightly breaking the rules of a ‘post-ride beer’ by definition. But, I am keeping in spirit, that’s what’s important, right? Bike + punishment + joy = damn good beer. This particular treat was imbibed after breaking down an old 80’s Panasonic Touring bike that I found on Craigslist… injuries, soreness and bliss not withheld.

Surly never ceases to amaze by putting out new bikes that I immediately need. They just released two really cool rigs that fill various niche gaps in their steel frame lineup. In this post, we’ll have a quick peek at the ECR and Straggler as well as explore their nonpareil, adventure-specific lineup.

There are many options for stoves to take on a bike tour, short bike packing trip or even a ‘coffee ride’. So, what makes a stove good for bike travel?

One of the original aspects of bike touring that drew my interest was the ability to explore areas on my own at a slower pace. Sometimes days of loaded down riding just for the sake of making distance can take some of the fun away. In order to get back to having fun I decided to remove the panniers and head out into the mountains to explore the Jungfrau Region by bicycle instead of taking the day off. I’m glad I did.

Well well well, what do we have here? It’s my Rohloff on some new Velocity Blunt 35s.

A week of bicycle touring the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. Two of Europe’s most popular cycling routes. Pedaling down the Moselle River from Luxembourg City to Koblenz and then up the Rhine.

I decided to enjoy this creamy honey-colored IPA while breaking down my Surly Troll. So I put the green long-haul tank up on the work stand and started the chore of pulling it apart to purge its nooks and crannies of gunk and corrosion (and repurpose my Rohloff to a new build).

With the start of the Tour De France, the pinnacle of bicycle racing, the media world is ablaze with stories related to the sport and it’s rich history. Listening to All Things Considered over the weekend, my ears perked when they did a short segment on the peculiar second cousin to the Tour—the randonée.

Last week VA and I pet/house-sitted in Raleigh, NC and checked out some Triangle Area singletrack while we were there (I’d recommend the New Light Trails). While in Rome we also imbibed some tasty local brews.

Cycling from London to the Netherlands through France and Belgium on a Surly Cross Check. The start of my European bike tour.

We started the ride expecting a 30+ mile blast through the Pisgah Ranger District. A route we put together that encompasses 3 of the baddest downhills Pisgah has to offer. It was going to be epic…

When I first heard of ‘craft’ beer in a can a few years ago, I scoffed and thought it was simply a gimmick. SInce then, I’ve given several canned brews a crack and some I’ve picked up more than once. Not to mention, cans can get pretty damn cold in a cooler during a ride.