The KTX Train at a Glance Originally based on the French TGV. Want to go 190mph? No problem! Super-smooth ride. Cheaper than Amtrak. (This post originally appeared on a train website that is no longer on…
The Black Shorts: The Review That Reveals All
The Black Shorts: The Review That Reveals All Looking for a budget pair of cycling shorts? So was I. Here are some early thoughts on the Black Shorts brought to you by the Black Bibs people….
DIY Titanium Anodizing for Bikes: Helpful Tips to Personalize Your Frame
DIY Titanium Anodizing at a Glance The post will cover: Getting Started — Basic Supplies How to Anodize Titanium the Basic Way What Colors Can You Make? Attempting a Fade Lessons Learned When I bought a…
48 Hours in the Verde Valley
The Verde Valley isn’t exactly one of the big draws for Arizona. If people get anywhere near it, it’s usually because they’re going to Sedona. I’ve lived here for a good long time and have actually…
The Best Canals in Phoenix for Riding a Bike
I’m trying to figure out the best canals in Phoenix for riding a bike. We have enough of them – something like 180 miles worth. For a short ride, most of them do the trick nicely….
Does the Cycliq Fly 12CE Really Suck That Much?
I’ve been riding with a Cycliq Fly 12CE bike camera for a few years now. When I first got it, Facebook served up a suggestion that I join a Facebook group about Cycliq and its cameras….
What’s Up with the Pyramid Peak Mountain Bike Trails?
The Pyramid Peak mountain bike trails are not in the Top 10 of most-talked-about places to ride in Arizona. Really, probably not in the Top 50. Not appearing on Trailforks.com and having little presence on Strava…
Throwback: Three of My Favorite Travel Books
I always like reading books about places where I’ve been and places that I’d like to visit, even if they’re not technically “travel books.” When I reviewed books for a small local magazine, I had the…
I’ve Had Way Too Many Hobbies Over the Years
I love hobbies. After all, traveling and mountain biking are the reason I created this blog. Sure, I sometimes write about other things (especially electric cars with an increased regulatory in recent years). I’ve largely stuck…
I Rode a Singlespeed for 3 Years. Then I Tried Full Suspension Again.
[I originally published this hardtail versus full suspension bike blog post in March of 2020, right when COVID-19 started to hit. It just got a major update. Read on for the fun!] I’ve been riding a…
7 Things to Know about Mountain Biking at Brown’s Ranch
Brown’s Ranch Mountain Biking at a Glance Four Trailheads More than 165 miles of trails Well-constructed trails Endless Options eBikes are Not Allowed. Watch for hikers, horses and wildlife If you want to start a great…
EV Versus Gas SUV: The Numbers Don’t Lie
EV Versus Gas SUV: By the Numbers 2016 Subaru Forester: Holds 534 kilowatt hours of energy. About 464 miles of range. That’s .868 miles per kWh. 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV: Holds 40 kWh of energy. About…
Two Nights on the Fanxipan Express
[I originally wrote this as a guest post for a website that no longer exists. I’m republishing it to preserve one of my more interesting travel experiences.] Vietnam taught me one important lesson: For every blazing-fast…
Mountain Biking the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
I rarely ever get out to the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve. It’s one of the newer bits of municipal open space in Phoenix, but it’s a bit far from me. Last time I was here, it was…
5 Important Types of Bike Accessories for New Cyclists
A Roundup of Bike Accessories At a Glance Bike accessories can be just as important as the shiny new bike you’re buying. Here’s a quick breakdown of the categories we’ll cover. Keep scrolling for all the…
How to Buy a Full-Suspension Bike – 2021
How to Buy a Full-Suspension Bike at a Glance Try Rental Bikes Get Familiar With Geometry Think About Frame Material Don’t Obsess About Parts Considerations with Buying Direct Pick the Right Bike Shop One of my…
4 Awesome and Random Short Bike Gear Reviews
When I buy new bike stuff, it’s usually because I broke something I already had or I just wore it out. And it generally doesn’t require a thousand words to tell you what I think of…
Thinking About Buying a Bike in 2021?
Here’s a handy roundup of advice for people buying a bike in 2021. Here’s what we’ll cover: Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes Mountain Bikes Random Thoughts This post is inspired by a message from one of my…
Recap: Mountain Biking in the Estrella Mountains
Mountain biking in the Estrella Mountains near Phoenix is, for me, a lot like eating at one of the ubiquitous fast-food joints with “berto’s” in their name. A few years will go by and I’ll think…
Forget the Tesla Killer. Which Electric SUVs are a Subaru Killer?
The current bunch of new and soon-to-be released electric SUVs are a weird crop. They look like SUVs, sure. But are they really just 21st Century station wagons? When it comes to compact SUVs, I think…