Empowering The Bicycle Traveler

Bike Touring Tips

When To Replace a Worn Wheel Rim

It's early morning in Moab, Utah when the still air is violated by the sound of a small explosion and the clang of scraping metal. My friend's rear wheel has come apart and is a twisted jumble of aluminum rim, steel spokes and rubber. For the first time, I realize that soft rubber brake pads Read More

The Watercarriers

Not to be confused with The Stars and The Watercarriers. One particular overnight desert bikepacking trip in the desert of southern Idaho had the potential for a little extra discomfort. We had planned on being able to get water out of the river at the end of the ride, but the river gurgled along several Read More

Eight Uses For The Surly Junk Strap

The Surly Junk Strap is essentially a super long (48") nylon toe clip strap. Toe clip straps are those straps which wrap around the rear edge of a pedal, through the eye of the toe clip and are cinched down to hold the rider's foot in place. Not too many people use this type of Read More

How to Load a Touring Bike.

I have a strong memory of my first overnighter on "Bernard" my Gilles Berthoud Adventure Touring Bike.  I loaded him up the same way I had always loaded "Sky" my Rivendell Bleriot.  I pushed off and on the first small down hill immediately noticed a pronounced shimmy in the front wheel. WTH?,  I got off Read More

We are always looking, hoping and striving for the best possible experience when we head out on a bike trip. Our free time to dedicate to these journeys is limited and valuable and we should do everything in our power to make the most of the opportunity. Many components in this alchemical equation are beyond our Read More