Salsa Mukluk

I just love touring and adventuring on this bike.  I have to say, as much as I love my Fargo for its overall utility, the Mukluk is getting way more time due to the overwhelming fun factor.  It not only goes anywhere and does anything you ask of it, but it also acts like a personal ambassador to all you meet.  Roll through any area with other people and they will stop, stare, ask questions and smile big, xxit eating grins on their face as they contemplate how to acquire one for themselves. 

In the last two weeks alone, I have been single track riding on some crazy technical terrain.  The guys I were with had suspension mountain bikes which they used to deftly work their way through and around all of the obstacles.  Not me, I just rode OVER everything -- big rocks, roots, small rocks, bushes, off trail, on trail, well you get the picture.  It just goes anywhere.  Then I was out training on the Mukluk on pavement because my Fargo is in the shop.  Yes, it is clearly not as efficient as the Fargo or a road bike, but dang, what fun.  On one stretch of the ride, I was happily cruising along at 17mph or cranking up the hills in stand up mode. 

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The Mukluk and Porcelain Rocket bags tour the coast of Campobello

Then, there was my morning session on the beach flats, that due to the astronomical low tides, made for riding more than a half a mile off shore.  I worked my way through ocean water, sand, mud, and everything in between.  As I have said before, nothing but smiles on my face as I pedaled along. 

Now, the rust on the chain the next day was a completely different story, but thanks to my buddy Dave I may have found a solution in the form of the Connex by Wippermann chains.  I am looking for one now to try out and will definitely report back as soon as I get one in my hands.​

Lasty, there are many sites on the web with awesome reviews of the Salsa Mukluk, so instead of writing detailed words, I will let my images showcase the amazing things you can do and places you can go on this awesome bike. ​

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Touring the pristine beaches of the Gulf Coast

Porcelain Rocket Salsa Anything Cage Bags

Anyone who follows my travels knows how much I love the Salsa Anything Cages.  They dramatically changed the way I was able to set up my bike for ultra light travel.  For the past year I have been a user and huge fan of Porcelain Rocket.  Scott's bags are really just the bomb.  They have held up to thousands of miles of travel across 3 continents and 6 countries. 

As good as Scott's bags are and as good as the Anything Cages work, something was missing.  I know I was not alone in voicing my thoughts and opinions to Scott in the hopes that he would come up with a creation that would complete my bikepacking setup.  Several weeks ago, as I was working with Scott on a custom set of winter bags for my new Ti Mukluk, he spilled the beans that something was afoot.  He would not say what, only that my shipment might include a couple of surprises.

It was a great sense of joy that overcame me as I opened my package from Scott and not only found my custom bags but also two brand new Porcelain Rocket Anything Cage bags.  Wow, all I can say is that Scott knocked it out of the park.  These are brilliant bags, elegant in their simplicity, and exactly what I was hoping for.  I have had them out on the bike for a couple of short rides and the 4 point attachment system kept everything locked in place.  Anyone who has had a dry bag strapped in their Anything Cage, only to have it wiggle loose and get tangled up in their spokes will greatly appreciate these bags.

The bags have a very nice roll top enclosure that while not waterproof, will definitely keep most of the moisture out of your kit. The bags attached to the Anything Cages using four attachment points.  Two large velcro wings come from the front of the bag and wrap around the outer part of the Anything Cage and then fold back on themselves.  These are nice, big, and burly velcro attachment points that should be sufficient in and of themselves to hold the bags in place.  However, Scott when one step farther and added two additional velcro loops to hold the bag securely to the back of the cage/fork combination.  With these 4 attachment points the bags are ready for the toughest of trails.

I head to Canada for a 3 week bikepacking trip and these bags, along with my custom made Mission Control Handlebar setup will be put to the test.  I will definitely follow up with my thoughts and images after I return from that trip.  Here are several images from this past weeks test ride on the Gulf of Mexico beaches.