Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Sarah Swallow
Swallow Bicycle Works
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124 mi. / 200 km3-5 daysSky Islands Odyssey (East Loop)
126 Oct 5 Sarah Swallow USAThe East Loop is a showcase of the Sky Islands' biological wonderscape. By directly circumnavigating the Santa Rita Mountains—one of the Sky Islands—the East Loop highlights a variety of dirt roads, doubletrack, old mining roads, a historic Spanish expedition trail, and a small taste of the Arizona Trail. The route travels through ever-changing grasslands, forests, and deserts in one of the world's most biodiverse regions. This route has evolved over the years, and while it’s the shortest of all three Sky Islands Odyssey routes, it packs the biggest punch in terms of difficulty and landscape diversity. -
176 mi. / 283 km4-5 daysSky Islands Odyssey (West Loop)
30 Oct 5 Sarah Swallow USAThe West Loop of the Sky Islands Odyssey journeys through the vast borderlands of the Sonoran Desert of the Sky Islands. Ride dirt roads, rocky arroyos, and sandy double tracks over rugged forested mountains, grasslands, and valleys of cacti in a remote region rich in biodiversity, indigenous mythology, astronomical discoveries, and migration history. -
WTF Bikexplorers Ride Series: Movement to Grow a Community
4 Sep 6 Sarah Swallow / plogLast month, 100 cyclists from all over the country identifying as women, transgender, femme, and non-binary gathered in Whitefish, MT, for the first WTF Bikexplorers Summit. Leading up to it, they also organized the WTF Ride Series, and we’re happy to share this excellent summary of those rides, featuring photos and route maps. Plus, an introduction to the WTF Bikexplorers Grassroots Ride Program…
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152 mi. / 245 km3-5 daysCentral Oregon Backcountry Explorer
68 Jan 26 Sarah Swallow USAThe Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer serves as an introductory route to the Ochoco Mountains and the geologic wonderland of the John Day Basin. Ride twisty dirt, gravel and paved roads through old-growth ponderosa pine forests, past stunning volcanic landscapes, old pioneer mines and ghost towns, the Painted Hills, all the way to the friendliest hostel around. The availability of water, great camping, and fairly non-technical terrain makes this a great ride for all levels of experience, just watch out for goat head thorns! -
52 mi. / 84 km2 daysElkhorn Crest Trail, Oregon
12 Dec 8 Sarah Swallow USAThe Elkhorn Crest Trail runs along the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. This technical trail traverses sub-alpine forests and grasslands and offers panoramic views of Baker Valley and the Wallowa Mountains to the East, and the Blue Mountains to the West. Camp at one of the high mountain lakes, enjoy views of the rocky nearby peaks, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a herd of elk or resident mountain goats. -
622 mi. / 1,001 km8 daysThe Buckeye Trail Bicycle Route: Cincinnati to Cleveland
44 Apr 21 Sarah Swallow USAIn the 1950’s, a foot-trail was created from the Ohio River to Lake Erie to encourage young people to slow down the pace of day-to-day life, and learn about their native land. An association was formed and the Buckeye Trail was built along the back roads and trails through some of Ohio’s most scenic terrain and historic locations. The Buckeye Trail Bicycle Route follows the paved and dirt roads of the original hiking trail and is 90% marked with blue blazes. -
Specialized AWOL Review: 5,000 Mile Test Ride
44 Jan 13 Sarah Swallow / bikesSpecialized’s do-all dropbar adventure bike pitted against a 3-month, 5,000 mile dirt road route across the USA. A test ride doesn’t get much bigger than this. Sarah Swallow reports on how it fared…
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Trans America Trail: The End of an Odyssey
25 Nov 2 Sarah Swallow / plogAn inspiring epilogue to the Swallow’s 87 day, 4,970 mile, off-road ride on the Trans America Trail. Plus, tips for riding the TAT, a final QA, and their favorite gear…
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Trans America Trail Update: Across the High Desert
5 Oct 22 Sarah Swallow / plogIn the second to last installment from the (off-road) Trans America Trail, Tom and Sarah Swallow make their way across the desert expanses of Utah and Nevada…
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Trans-America Trail (TAT): High Elevation
8 Sep 23 Sarah Swallow / plogA stunning write up and collection of images from Tom and Sarah Swallow, as they make their way from coast to coast on the epic Trans-America Trail (TAT). This update covers their journey from the plains of Arkansas to the high San Juan Mountains in Colorado…
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The Trans America Trail (TAT): 1,500 Mile Update
11 Aug 25 Sarah Swallow / plogMid trip report and a lovely set of photos by Tom and Sarah Swallow from their first 1,500 miles on the Trans America [off-road] Trail (TAT)…
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Couple Embarks on Trans-USA Bikepacking Odyssey
14 Aug 4 Sarah Swallow / cultureIs it possible to piece together an unpaved bikepacking route across the US, primarily on gravel and dirt? Apparently it is, and these two cyclists are on a mission to prove it…
