Rider & Rig

In this feature edition of Reader’s Rig, we hear from Jose Pacheco in Colombia, who shares how a near-death experience led him to embark on a 7,300-kilometer bike trip from Peru to Chile aboard a Brother Cycles Big Bro. Learn more about his purpose-built Big Bro, the thoughtful collection of parts and bags he uses, and find photos from his travels here…

Logan Kasper just set a new fastest known time on the Eastern Divide Trail, finishing the 6,000-mile route in about 41 days and averaging nearly 150 miles per day as he pedaled from Newfoundland to Key West, Florida. Learn more about his ride, find details on his bike, and see a list of components and gear he packed for the journey here…

In this edition of Rider and Rig, we meet Boulder, Colorado-based designer Justin McKinley, who’ll soon line up for the 2024 Tour Divide aboard the 2009 Moots Mooto X YBB he scored on Craigslist and rebuilt into the long-hauling singlespeed of his dreams. Get to know Justin and his guiding philosophy, recap some valuable lessons he learned during his first Tour Divide attempt, and find an expansive photo gallery here…

In this Rider and Rig, Evan Christenson caches up with Humbert Campins, a Spanish bikepacker and photographer who is currently pedaling through some of Morocco’s toughest terrain aboard his 1990s Trek 830. Read on for some of Humbert’s story about falling in love with bikepacking and his approach to riding the many faraway places he’s traveled to so far…

In our latest Rider and Rig feature, we catch up with geologist, educator, and route builder Seth Kruckenberg, creator of several fabulous desert rides published on this site. As well as dissecting his all-terrain, Rohloff-powered Tumbleweed Prospector—a stunning build that includes an unusual but elegant set of handlebars—Seth shares insightful tips on understanding geological terrain and using topography for route creation so you can plan spectacular trips of your own. Find it all here…

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…