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Tanglefoot Moonshiner Review: Triumphal Pedaling Toward Retro-Futurism
76 Dec 9 Joe Cruz / bikesThe Tanglefoot Moonshiner is a woods exploration bike conceived in and for the kind of riding you’ll find in Vermont and throughout New England. But its prowess doesn’t end there. It’s a bike for getting outside in the playful adventurous spirit that all-terrain bikes were supposed to be for. Dig in to this lengthy discussion to find out why—after riding one in a variety of conditions for a couple of months—Joe is excited and enthusiastic for what Tanglefoot has achieved.
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Nutmeg Nor’Easter 2021 (The Alt Cycling World Championship)
31 Nov 1 Joe Cruz / cultureThe 2021 Nutmeg Nor’Easter (aka Thee Non-Competitive Alt Cycling World Championship) happened a couple of weeks ago, leaving all attendees with hope for the cycling community at large. Find a reflection from the event by Joe Cruz here, alongside a stunning gallery of photos by Conan Thai…
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255 mi. / 410 km5 days
Green Mountain Gravel Growler, Vermont
510 Sep 24 Joe Cruz USAThe Green Mountain Gravel Growler is an extraordinary loop that weaves a selection of storybook-farm dirt roads, flowy New England singletrack, and rugged historic woodland paths to create a circuit of some of the world’s best and most coveted craft beers... -
Kona Rove LTD Review: Long-Term Roving
72 Jun 15 Joe Cruz / bikesJoe spent six months last year on the Kona Rove LTD. Even with limited opportunities for far afield adventure, he took it on multiple bikepacking trips in New England and on countless day rides. Following Kona’s recent announcement of its 2022 Roves with essentially only a color change for the LTD, we share this review…
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117 mi. / 188 km2-3 days
Delaware County Catskills Dirt Circuit
48 Feb 17 Joe Cruz USACyclists are drawn to the Catskill Mountains in New York State by the glorious steeply pitched and winding roads that thread through its sloped agricultural valleys. Delaware County in the western Catskills is especially idyllic and scenic, mixing a history of dairy farming and arts, and a love of nature into a single tableau. This overnight route visits a joyous landscape in a loop from tiny Bovina Center with a night spent in Steam Mill State Forest... -
302 mi. / 486 km4-6 days
VTXL
234 Dec 4 Joe Cruz USAThe VTXL is one virtually continuous dirt path through Vermont from the Canada border to the Massachusetts border, linking the state’s northeast and southwest corners and capturing its geography, landscape, and town life. Experience New England charm and the distinctive affection that locals have for place and a slow pace. -
137 mi. / 220 km2-3 days
Roundabout Brattleboro, Vermont
184 Oct 6 Joe Cruz USARoundabout Brattleboro is a 2-3 day loop starting and ending in Brattleboro, Vermont. The route takes in some of VT's finest countryside via a mix of doubletrack, gravel, backroads, and a little bit of singletrack to capture all that Vermont's known for in a compact outing... -
Ted King’s DIYGravel (Film)
34 Jun 11 Joe Cruz / videoLast night Ted King premiered a film on his inspiring gravel ride across the state of Vermont via the forthcoming VTXL bikepacking route. He pedaled 310 miles (499 kilometers) with 35,000ft (10,700m) of climbing—90% of which was on dirt—in under 23 hours. Watch the video here along with a Q&A with Ted and the filmmakers.
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Open WI.DE. Review: The Last Bicycle?
89 Jun 11 Joe Cruz / bikesWith clearance for 27.5 x 2.4″ tires, a quick and nimble geometry, and double dropped chainstays, the Open WI.DE. (Winding Detours) is a coveted and capable machine. Joe Cruz put this bike through a full test with big 27.5″ mountain bike knobbies in Colombia and 700C gravel tires back in Vermont. Read his detailed review here.
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Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review
59 May 14 Joe Cruz / gearThe Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo has won numerous awards since its introduction, and the feature spec makes it plenty appealing for bikepacking. Joe has been testing it on three continents for nearly a year, and has spent upwards of 75 nights in it. Read on to see how it has fared.
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Three GORE Ultralight Jackets Against the Elements
28 Feb 5 Joe Cruz / apparelGORE’s fabrics have undoubtedly transformed the outdoor industry and anyone who spends any time outside has probably used their products. In addition to licensing its technologies to other companies, GORE has for many years produced its own line of technical garments that have by now reached elite status for thoughtfully designed outerwear. Joe Cruz spent the last six months rotating through three of their jackets and reports back on their limits and successes…
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Editor’s Dozen: Joe’s Favorite Gear of 2019
43 Dec 30 Joe Cruz / accessoriesIn 2019 Joe pedaled in Bosnia, on dirt roads from Munich to Marseille, and on a folding bike in Portugal. Closer to home he rode along the Mexico/Arizona border and was part of the Arkansas scouting mission for the No Place Like Oz loop. Not to mention a 50th birthday party of three days of massive gravel rides in Vermont with a few dozen close friends. Along the way he put plenty of new things to the test. Find his favorites here…