Joe Cruz
Pedaling in Place
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Curve GMX Review: Undauntable
23 Apr 18 Joe Cruz / bikesThere are only a handful of bikes that suitably blend drop handlebars with 29er mountain bike tires. And just a couple that do it well. Joe Cruz tested the Curve GMX while on a 10-day bikepacking trip through Tasmania to see if it was one of them…
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Bontrager OMW Review: Old Man Winter Shoes
11 Dec 20 Joe Cruz / apparelAt the end of last season and now into the early weeks of this winter’s snow, we tested Bontrager’s vaunted OMW boots in New England’s cold and wet conditions.
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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Max SV Sleeping Pad Review + Corus HD Quilt
0 Nov 14 Joe Cruz / gearThermarest’s Corus HD Quilt and NeoAir Xlite Max SV mattress promise lightweight, packable, luxurious comfort. For six months, we put them to the test…
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Given By Mountains
20 Nov 3 Joe Cruz / videoIn the summer of 2016, four of us pedaled across Kyrgyzstan from Lake Issyk Kul to Bishkek. Our several weeks in the Tian Shan —the celestial mountains — gave us much. This movie is about inspiration and the hope of returning the sustenance we receive from a place by putting beauty back into the world. Watch and find Joe’s thoughts on the film here, plus a new photo gallery and more on the route…
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Search and State: High Tech from NYC’s Garment District
15 Oct 3 Joe Cruz / apparelSearch and State makes all of their cycling apparel in New York City’s Garment District. Their early focus was racewear, but adventurous off-the-grid cycling was always in their DNA. They’ve just introduced a jacket conceived specifically for expedition style bikepacking, designed with Joe Cruz as a consultant. Read on to see how he got involved and his eye-opening introduction to made-in-the-USA small batch technical wear.
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380 mi. / 612 km8 daysAdriatic Crest, Croatia
25 Aug 2 Joe Cruz EuropeThe Adriatic Crest visits the rugged side of coastal and island Croatia. The sea is a constant companion glinting temptingly in the distance while the ride traverses challenging contrasts of dry rocky backcountry double and single track, intimate tunnels of trees, long spans of steeply up and down gravel roads, and traffic-free forgotten radiant hot tarmac. Yes, there are opportunities to swim, but this ride is mostly about adventure. -
Why Cycles S7 Review: Rodeo Bikepacking
12 Apr 25 Joe Cruz / bikesJoe took the 27.5+ titanium Why Cycles S7 to southeastern Utah for a bikepacking trip and trail rides on several Moab classics. Read the review to find out what this beautiful beast is all about, down to the engraved Ed Abbey quote and the torx-head bottle mount bolts…
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613 mi. / 987 km20 daysTian Shan Traverse, Kyrgyzstan
86 Nov 29 Joe Cruz AsiaKyrgyzstan soars to every superlative and defies you to invent new ones. It’s beautiful, culturally compelling, and physically challenging: Grass carpet single and double track for days through rolling river valleys between 5,000 meter snow covered peaks, delirious mountain passes with the clack and rattle of scree under tires, and friendly and outgoing nomadic horsemen herding sheep and cattle. This central asian country will race your heart and is a dreamscape for adventurous cyclists. -
248 mi. / 399 km5 daysGreen Mountain Gravel Growler, Vermont
191 Oct 19 Joe Cruz USAThis extraordinary loop weaves a selection of storybook-farm dirt roads, flowy New England singletrack, and rugged historic woodland paths to create a circuit of some of the world’s best and most coveted craft beers. -
Norway: Grey and Glittering
10 May 4 Joe Cruz / videoA heady first film by Joe Cruz capturing a summer bikepacking trip from Sweden through Norway to Oslo… plus, background details on its making.
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Surly Ice Cream Truck Ops Review: Five Fun Days
40 Dec 1 Joe Cruz / bikesWhen loaded with standard bags and modest bikepacking weight, Surly’s Ice Cream Truck is a pleasure to pedal: easy to steer on loose ascents, confident and quick handling down technical chutes, and predictable through twisting treelined singletrack. It’s a capable and flat out fun bike.
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266 mi. / 428 km7 daysBikepacking Slovenia: The West Loop
70 Aug 6 Joe Cruz EuropeSlovenia—east of Italy’s Dolomites, south of Austria and sharing borders with Croatia and Hungary—has everything an intrepid cycle tourist could want. This loop includes remote dirt roads through rolling hills, picturesque towns, steep climbs, and bits of single track to keep you grinning. It’s a great introduction to this wonderful country.
