*This review originally appeared in Dirt Rag Magazine in 2018. Whether you’re going bikepacking or doing a long winter ride in ever-changing conditions, a packable yet very warm jacket is an invaluable piece of gear for when you reach camp for the night or the temperature suddenly drops 20 degrees high in the mountains. There …
Review: Soma Condor drop bars
I got the Soma Condor bars to review for Dirt Rag Magazine in spring 2017. I expected to ride them for the review period, not really like them, then take them off after writing the review. Two years later, the bars are still on my gravel bike. I have ridden them on countless all day …
Review: Juliana Joplin C
I rode the Juliana Joplin C from October 2016-January 2017 and reviewed it for Singletracks.com. From the review: Sometimes, it can be hard to put your finger on just what it is you love about a bike. You can look at the specs and the numbers, but there’s more to the story. Some bikes just …
Review: Framed Marquette
The Framed Marquette was my entry into 27+ mountain bikes and the bike that told me that I'd definitely need a plus bike in my quiver. I rode it for most of the summer in 2016, including during my first mountain bike race in over 10 years. "Despite a couple small issues, I found the …
Review: Advocate Watchman
I rode the Advocate Watchman fat bike the winter of 2016. It was my first bike review for Singletracks.com and my second bike review ever. I almost bought it, but didn't because I decided to go with a carbon fat bike (Salsa Beargrease) instead to save some weight. Photo: Jarrod Bunk From the review: Over …
Chaco Fantasia sandals.
Despite their popularity amongst the various young outdoor enthusiast communities that I've been a part of, I hadn't ever been the biggest fan of Chacos. They always seemed clunky and heavy, and I don't like heavy shoes. But I also had never discovered a pair of sandals that really impressed me, and so, I decided …
The Zephyr.
It belonged to my friend Jeff. I first paddled it about 6 years ago, and I fell in love. It fit me perfectly. Sitting in a hole and surfing, it felt right. "It likes hips," said Jeff, alluding to the fact that the boat fit me better than it did him. But at the time, …
Jackson Kayak stand-up paddleboards.
Last week, the shop got in some new paddleboards from Jackson Kayak, and a few days ago after work one evening, a small group of us took the opportunity to try them out on the Juniata River. A relatively short stretch of river from the Warrior Ridge Dam to Huntingdon is a favorite for evening …