Tuning a bicycle is less like fixing a household appliance, and more like tuning a musical instrument. It requires the mechanic to have certain concrete technical skills, but also a good ear, a judicious touch and not a small amount of finesse. Although the term “bike tune-up” is ubiquitously used in bicycle shops across the … Read more
Forget electric motors, fancy hydraulics, and anything that some guy you know might have to say about what makes a good commuter bike bike. These four quick upgrades will turn any basic bike in good repair into a super-efficient, user-friendly personal transportation machine. 1. Best tires for your commuter bike Not only do quality tires … Read more
Chicago winter is not for the meek. It can be difficult to find motivation to go outside, and it’s so tempting to cocoon indoors near a heat source! The cold can be penetrating, the wind unforgiving, and short daylight hours make it hard to drag yourself out. Plus, there’s nothing to do outside. Wrong! That … Read more
OK, so maybe Chicago doesn’t offer many climbing opportunities right out of your front door. Illinois is the second flattest state in the union (trailing only Florida), therefore you may have to be willing to travel a bit if you want to climb anything other than the steps of the Sears Tower (I’m a lifelong … Read more
For months, I’ve fantasized about doing a quick, minimalist solo Brompton camping trip. After all, what more perfect tool for a quick getaway than this stealthy, compact, uncluttered folding bike, with neatly fitted self-contained luggage options? What could be simpler? Pack a bag, hop a train, find a stop with good biking access to some … Read more
Camp cooking real food over a Coleman stove or open fire is an obvious choice if you are car-camping. But what do you do on minimalist, self-supported outings, when carrying large implements and cookware is out of the question? You can still easily avoid eating freeze-dried meals and packaged meal replacement bars. While these may … Read more
Who doesn’t want to escape the 9 to 5? In today’s post, I’m going to show you 8 simple strategies to fill your life with outdoor adventure you long for, even if you work a regular, forty hour job. In fact, these are the same strategies I used to go on 52 adventures in 52 … Read more
In which we present some of our favorite real food alternatives to “camp food”. I absolutely despise energy bars. While I have been enticed to try, and even slightly enjoyed, small morsels when offered as samples at trade shows, there is literally nothing I find less appetizing while on a long bike ride, hike, or … Read more
This post contains links to purchase products from our store, or our affiliate partners. Please see our full commercial disclosure. A day trip is as simple as adventure gets. With nothing more than a a few outdoor gear essentials, you can get lost in the great wilderness that lurks just outside, wherever you happen to … Read more
If you’re in the market for a new bike, the available choices can be quite bewildering. This is especially true if you’re new to biking, or have not bought a bike in a long time. The new bike categories are proliferating so fast, we’re running out of ideas for what to call them: hybrid, cross, … Read more