Rider & Rig

In a world that idolizes the latest and greatest, we deconstruct Daniel Schmidt’s lightweight Salsa El Mariachi bikepacking rig built solely with second-hand parts and winter specials. We talk about his guiding company, Ramble Bikepacking, his trail work through the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and how to avoid the perils of doomscrolling. And despite his “low-key competitiveness,” we discuss the value of allowing time to stop and interact with those around you…

Since 2006, Jefe Branham has been tackling some of the most challenging self-supported bikepacking races out there. However, one that he’s yet to check off that list is the full Arizona Trail Race, an 800+ mile ride from Mexico to Utah. In our latest Rider & Rig video, Neil catches up with Jefe to learn about the race, his signature Why Cycles El Jefe, what he’s bringing along, and how he plans on carrying his bike through the Grand Canyon…

Eddie O’Dea is more than two-thirds of the way through our Eastern Divide Trail, the longest off-road bikepacking route in the world. We intercepted Eddie as he passed through nearby Pisgah National Forest to ask a few questions about his trip. Find an update on his ride, and a detailed photo gallery and overview of his bike here…

Cass heads out with Chad and his Mexico-bought “26 ain’t deaders,” complete with DIY bags, motorbike handlebars, dollar-fifty brakes, and a Dangle Boot. He ponders the essence of an ATB and wonders if perhaps we should all foster a vintage mountain bike in preparation for our planet’s uncertain future, and even load it up with homemade gear to celebrate the halcyon days of All Terrain Biking. Plus, find out what thrift-store specials have earned a place in Chad’s technicoloured bags…

In our first video Rider and Rig, Neil catches up with Chris Besnia of Goodday Bike Works in Colorado to get the lowdown on the Rufous, a beautiful handbuilt rando-inspired gravel bike with a truss fork. Chris walks us through why he built it, gives an overview of the components, and shares his packing list for a recent overnighter…

With its integrated tent and table, Fischer Olpin’s self-made Adventure Tall Bike is one of the most fascinating rigs we’ve stumbled upon in a while. See photos of his one-of-a-kind bike in action and get to know the 24-year-old product designer and bikepacking bag maker here…

In our latest Rider and Rig, we catch up with Samer Abouhamad on his way down to Patagonia aboard his streamlined Bombtrack EXT. We talk Beirut, Redshift Kitchen Sinks, Crocs, cakes, and we even rescue a little puppy too. Plus, find Samer’s full gear list for his journey across the Americas…

As luck would have it, Karl Kroll was recently seen cycling through the neighbourhood, giving us the chance to chat to the long-distance bikepacker as he puts the final pieces down for his mammoth Americas Bike Trip jigsaw. Over a local campout and an ice cream float, we talk about everything from Ecuadorian Dangle Llamas to packing bearings with bananas, bikey family heirlooms to triple-padded bar-ends, along with unfortunate finds in the Copper Canyon and running a YouTube channel. Plus, check out his complete gearlist honed after 31 months on the road…

Over the winter, Cass was fortunate enough to receive two of his favourite and most prolific bikepackers as houseguests: Chris Campbell and Amanda Andros. As part of this informal “Let’s go for a ride” series, he joins them on the first day of the Trans-Mexico Sur to talk to them about their Ti Timberjacks, living within their means, and going where the wind takes them…

There’s a group of more than 50 women out pedaling along the quiet roads and doubletracks of the 700-kilometer Montañas Vacías route across Spanish Lapland right now. Photographer Rugile Kaladyte was at the start to shoot portraits of all 55 riders and their rigs before they set off. Find the full gallery here…

This weekend, Andrew Strempke set off to see how quickly he could ride the entire Monumental Loop in Southern New Mexico. Turns out he can move pretty swiftly, and he set a new fastest known time on the 245-mile route. We caught up with him a few days later for a short interview and to snap some photos of his bike setup…

We talk cargo bikes, Border Collies, and tree planting with JC, Zaïna, and Basquiat – aka Cargodoggo. Find out how Basquiat and JC found each other, how Zaïna’s identity as a BIPOC rider has shaped her newfound love of bike touring, and how the Cargodoggo team got into dogpacking. Plus, check out a gallery of their photos from the San José del Pacífico Grand Dirt Tour and glean sage dogpacking advice, should you be inspired to do the same…