Salsa Cycles

Once again I am honored to have a selection of my images from this past year used to promote both the Salsa Cycles brand and the philosophy of 'Adventure By Bike'.  This year, among others, they have chosen a selection of images from my Oregon Outback adventure, along with my good buddy Josh Spice, to promote life with a Fargo.  

You can see a brief glimpse of them on the Salsa Cycles website, and in print at your local Salsa Cycles dealer.  If the images intrigue you, the full story of the trip can be seen at my Exposure site.

A Catalyst for Change

I often ask myself how can I make a difference.  How can I use the skills and the passions that I have, to affect a change for the positive. Over the last several years, as I have traveled the world, I have come to believe in the power of the lone traveler to break down barriers and in the ability of imagery to open our eyes to the world around us.

With these brief thoughts, I am super stoked to announce my first effort to proactively make a difference in a cause that I feel strongly about.  In conjunction with Wholesome Wave, I will embark on a Journey through New England this September documenting the rich and vibrant local food systems and how this organization is reshaping the way we all have access to fresh foods.

It is my and our hope, that by using a simple bicycle,  along with my camera, I will be able to tell the story of the people, the organizations, the communities and the farms that are working so hard to bring all of us, but especially the undeserved, fresh,  locally grown food.

The story will unfold at our new Micro Site -- www.farmtotablecycle.com and on my stories site. I hope you will follow along, contribute to the cause where you can, and if you are in the path of this trip, come out and join me at any event or cycling leg.

We all have the power to make a difference.

G-

The Path

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Oregon Outback - Leica MM + 50Lux

I always find that my adventures teach me more than I could ever have imagined and that my images are the words and the memories of all those lessons.  The path, that which we follow, always leads us to new and beautiful places.  Trusting in it, giving in to it, is the way I choose to live my life.

Here, Josh and Erik, contemplate the fact that we see no end in sight.

Controlled Chaos

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Old City, Morocco -- Sony NEX-5 16mm @F/9.0

Celebrating the release of Bunyan Velo issue number 04, this is another shot from my Morocco bikepacking trip.  A speeding Moped races down the narrow stalls full of people, vendors, goods and bikes.  A crazy scene, which could be described as 'Controlled Chaos' is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated. 

You can read about the trip in the current issue and then next week I will upload the full Photo Essay.

Fargo's, Fargo's, Fargo's -- Tis the season for Fargo's

At long last the 2014 Salsa Fargo's are really rolling out the doors.  I know the non-Ti models have been shipping for a while, but now the Ti ones are hitting peoples doors.  This means that a ton of cool Fargo Adventures are about to take place.  As incentive to share your Fargo plans, I have a brand new Porcelain Rocket handlebar Pack (and possible another goody or two) that I will give away to the person who shares the coolest story of how they intend to use their new Fargo. 

Stories must be shared on my Facebook page.  If you don't have FB, then go ahead and drop a line here and I will share it with the FB audience.  You must have a Fargo in possession or on order for this to be fair, so lets everyone play nice please...

Lets give it 30 days and then I will pick the winner.  Have fun and lets share some stories.

Ok, 1,2,3 GO!

Handlebar bag will be black w/o the pouch -- Photo (c) Scott Felter

Bunyan Velo -- Issue 04

The newest issue of Bunyan Velo is out and it is better than before.  Full of amazing photographs and inspiring stories, all from the perspective of Cyclists, it is a must read.  Check it out at http://www.bunyanvelo.com/ and be sure and read my story on Bikepacking Morocco.  I will follow up in a week with the full Photo Essay from that memorable trip.

Magazine Happenings

Cool things happening this February and March. Keep an eye out for the latest issue of Ocean Paddler and one of my images from Kayaking up the Inside Passage.  Next up is the upcoming issue of Bunyan Velo and my photo essay on Bikepaking Morocco.  Bunyan Velo is an online magazine full of incredible images and stories from some really terrific cyclists, adventurers and photographers.  Stay tuned for details.

A special thanks - Salsa Cycles

There are many things that change our course as we travel along the path of life.  Some bigger than others and some more profound than others. As I sit here on my 51st birthday, I can honestly say that not many things have had as big an impact on my life as one bike and one bike company, Salsa Cycles and my Fun Guy Green Fargo. 

For three years now I have lived passionately on one of their bikes, first the Fargo, then the Mukluk, and now a new Fargo and a Spearfish.  Their bikes, their spirit and the people of that company embody the soul of Adventure by Bike.  Something that I am trying to use as a mold for this life I am living.

I wanted to simply take this moment of introspection to share my gratitude to these people and their bikes and the support and friendship they have shown me.  May the spirit of Adventure By Bike take you wherever you desire!

Two Months by Fatbike, Ti Mukluk - Alaska 2013

English Countryside, Gen 1 Fargo - 2011

Biking around the country, Gen 1 Fargo - Where it all started (c) Andrea Johnson

Touring the Gaspe Peninsula - 2012 Ti Mukluk

Fatbiking the Lost Coast, Ti Muk -- 2013

Grateful for the path

An amazing ride this thing we call life.  Reflecting today, as many of us do, I am incredibly grateful for the path of life, all that has come, all that is, and all that is yet to be discovered.

The Simplicity of Tarps

Just back from another spectacular bikepacking trip on my Salsa Mukluk, I can honestly say that for 90% of my trip needs, a Tarp is the perfect shelter. For the last 5 years I have experimented with tents, bivies, and a number of different Tarps, so I believe that for me, I have acquired a fair bit of experience through a multitude of conditions. 

With the exception of some very specific situations and scenarios, the Tarp has ruled the roost.  With a bike, I can string a tarp anywhere I want, including the middle of nowhere.  Using my technigue for anchoring the bike with line and stakes, it serves as the perfect highpoint for one end of the tarp.  The other end can be anchored to some other fixed object, or with the aid of your helmet or stick, stood on end, you have enough lift to comfortably sleep without and contact between your bag and the tarp. 

Add in an UL bivy, like one from MLD, and you have bug and splash protection at your disposal.  Thus carrying a Cuben tarp, a set of UL stakes and a UL bivy, you are set to string up protection no matter where you travel.  With some larger fixed structures to anchor to, you can easily create a very comfortable living space that protects you, your bag and your gear from the elements.   

My current Tarp of choice is the Cuben Fiber tarp made by Hyperlite Mountain Gear.  I have been traveling with this tarp for almost two years now and it has proven itself as completely reliable.  The attention to detail is amazing and the Cuben Fiber is not only light but absolutely waterproof.  One very nice feature of Cuben is that it does not wet out.  What this means is that after a night of rain, simply shake the tarp and the vast majority of the moisture is displaced, thus keeping your UL tarp in a UL state.  I have found that Silnylon has a tendency to wet out and thus your super light tarp is no longer super light and you are stuck packing an item that is soaked through and through.

For those that are serious about traveling light, the combination of a Cuben Tarp, UL Bivy, a Neo Air pad, and a set of UL stakes is the ultimate combination for light weight, flexible shelter.  Simple to setup; flexible in how you use it; and a multitude of useable configurations with very few things that can break! 

HMG Cuben strung over rock

Creative use of endpoints, a helmet and bike lashed to table

Camp full of Tarps, all off of the table

Using the bike as an endpoint

Fargo Love - Touring Ireland

The Gen 1, 'fun guy green' Fargo, all decked out with a Brooks B17 Saddle, Porcelain Rocket Bags, and Five Finger shoes -- combined to provide the ultimate touring rig through Europe, including England, Scotland, Morrocco and Ireland. 

The new 2014 Ti Fargo should be here soon, so keep checking back for the unveiling.  New bits and pieces all come together to create what I believe will be the most versatile 'go anywhere' adventure touring bike ever.

Trip Planning - Where to begin

I have every intention of really detailing this topic, as I think it is what causes the biggest issue for people wanting to go out on some form of Adventure, big or small.  Right now, I need to make it through Labor Day weekend and then I can really begin sharing some details on what I am doing and what my thought process is for the choices I make. 

However, I will start things off with this.  I start every trip with the following key items and then I begin the process of iterating each one on their own.  After each set is done, I then step back and look at where I can eliminate any redundancy in an effort to simplifly my kit and reduce the need to carry extraneous gear.  So, where do you begin? 

• Mode of Transport
• Shelter  
• Cook
• Sleep System
  
• Element Protection, including moving and stationary
  
• Tools
• Electronics

To me, these are the biggest components of a trip, and the most critical.  There are always outliers that must be considered, but starting with these will allow you to begin the process of choosing gear and making key tradeoff decisions. As a teaser for some of my decisions, here is a little gallery of past choices just to get the discussion going.  Next week, I will discuss Shelter and Cook as it applies to the Lost Coast Bikepacking trip. 

Trip Planning

One of the things I love most about upcoming trips is the planning process. What will the route be, what are the gear requirements, how am I going to carry what I need, and what camera gear is needed?  Early in the process I begin making lists, sorting through requirements and eventually bringing out the scale to insure that I have not gone overboard with the 'oh I could use that piece of kit' syndrome.

My Gen 1 Fargo on the Oregon Coast

Next month, I head to California to bike the lost coast.  A stretch of road, trail and beach that runs from the Oregon/California border down to the beautiful city of San Francisco.  I will ship my bike and gear out to Crescent city because their is simply no way to fly there on a plane big enough to carry all my kit.  I will hop from the east coast to San Francisco, meet up with my riding partners, Erik and Andrew, and then take one of those puddle jumpers up to our starting spot. 

Camping amidst the giant redwoods

My goal for this 7 day trip, since it is short, and in the relative confines of civilization, is to go as light and fast as possible.  The exception to this could be my camera gear which largely rests on the issue of bringing the D800 and Zeiss lenses.  Over the next several weeks I will begin to share my process of planning, pairing and then packing.  This will be a SUL (Super Ultra Light) bikepacking trip for me, with a goal of coming in under 10 pounds for everything but food, water and cameras.  

Stay tuned as the Fall is about to get really fun! 

Salsa Cycles Ti Fargo

Check out the latest Salsa Newsletter for a look at the new lineup including the first product shot I have seen of the new Ti Fargo.  The new color scheme, carbon fork, and Anything Cage mounts are sure to add to the cult status of the Fargo.   

A summer of projects

I can't believe it is about to be the middle of August... where has the time gone. For me it has a different summer, busier, less riding, more projects.  I still have not had time to finish editing my images from the Alaska trip.  I have completely rebuilt my Salsa Mukluk, although I am still missing a few bits.  I acquired a used Cannondale Hooligan and it has been a blast to ride, while the Muk was down and the Fargo & Spearfish have not arrived.  I built up a new Salsa Mukluk for E as a gift and the purple theme of the bike looks stunning.  The bike turned out perfect in every way with the exception of not finding a 'Grape Ape' frame, but instead having to settle for a black and red model.  In either event, the Purple and red seem to work well.  Pics coming soon when the rain finally stops. 

Made in the US, Twenty6 pedals are a work of art with aggressive pin placement

I have some fun testing going on now, especially focusing on the performance of Flats over clipless for the style of riding I do.  I installed a set of Canfields on E's muk and a set of Twenty6 on mine.  Two beautiful sets of pedals, but uniquely different.  The pins on the Twenty6's are very sharp and from what I understand, somewhat soft.  They no longer make Ti replacement pins, so I am starting with the anodized versions and then will switch to the steels when they wear out.  The patter of pins on the Canfields is less extreme, and the shape of the pedal is simply striking. 

My quest for a new saddle commences with a test of several different models. I have a Gilles Berthoud leather saddle in house and a Fizik Kurve (courtesy of North Central Cyclery).  Totally different saddles with totally different purposes in mind.  However, there is only one way to know what works and that is to try them out.  E got a 'cork' model of the Gilles Berthoud for her Muk and it is beautiful! 

The new Salsa 2014's are out and I have a new Fargo coming.  The update from last year is subtle, but welcome.  I think I am most excited about the addition of a Carbon fork that has mounts for the Anything Cages.  I had always planned on adding a Carbon fork even though it was going to mean the loss of the cages.  Now I don't have to compromise.  I am toying with the idea of going IGH and the venerable Rohloff.  My Fargo is my go anywhere touring machine and the thought of not messing with derailleurs while in some far off land is very appealing.  If you have an opinion on Rohloff's I would love to hear them.  I have been toying with a little 3 spd IGH on my Hooligan and have become quite fond of it, shifting nuances and all.

There are a couple of other surprises coming, including a Fish and a special project being built just for me. Summer will soon come to a close and the traveling will begin anew!! Fall, late fall, and winter plans are shaping up nicely.