Rider & Rig

While riding the forthcoming Woods Rat Run bikepacking route, we chat to The Woods Cyclery’s Tom Farrell about his Stooge Rambler, BMX-ing, dinglespeeds, front loading, and rat runs. Plus, enjoy a gallery of his black and white film images captured on local outings and learn about his shoot-from-the-bike camera setup here…

Ernesto Pastor crafted his revered Montañas Vacías bikepacking route with an unusual level of care and dedication, and it now draws a steady stream of bikepackers to Spain’s remote interior. In this Rider & Rig feature, we examine his motivation behind the project, its local impact, and his trusty Rohloff-equipped Surly Ogre’s role in experiencing and documenting the landscapes he calls home…

In this Rider and Rig, we catch up with dogpacking duo John and Mira shortly before the grand depart of the 2023 Tour Divide. Find out about John’s motivation to travel the world with Mira, learn why he chose to race this particular route, and enjoy a gallery of Mira in action. Plus, aspiring dogpackers can get granular with a detailed breakdown of their Pinion-powered titanium race rig…

In this Rider and Rig, Cass Gilbert chats with airplane mechanic and self-confessed roadside scavenger Mason Steinbrueck about his 1991 Bianchi Advantage, an eclectic build that includes a homemade mushroom-themed framebag, a self-brazed front rack, a collection of orphaned dinosaurs, and many time-patinaed components with stories of their own…

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…