BPM Review- SALSA Anything Cages

New Anything Cage and Anything Bag from Salsa Cycles

Last fall, Bikepackers Magazine evaluated the Anything Cage and concluded “the simplicity of the cage has its advantages, like being able to customize the way you carry your gear…we have found great uses for [this]system.”

Since their introduction in 2010, Salsa’s Anything Cages have afforded adventure cyclists a unique solution for carrying essential equipment and supplies. The simplicity and versatility of the original Anything Cage cultivated a loyal following amongst the bikepacking community. Admittedly, we were excited for the release of the redesigned Anything Cage and the new Anything Bag this spring.

The New Anything Cage HD (left) and an original, aluminum Anything Cage (right)

Like its predecessor, the Anything Cage HD is constructed around a three hole mounting plate which interfaces nicely with stock boss forks. In 2014, Salsa refined the original Anything Cage because the rack’s welds were breaking. Constructed from an impact resistant nylon, the new HD model eliminates the problems encountered with first generation aluminum cages. The new cage is well constructed and has been bomber on my spring and summer trips. But further field testing is necessary to evaluate how the new, nylon material will perform when used in frigid, winter temps.

The increased surface area of the Anything Cage’s sidewalls are an obvious improvement to the original design. More cage ensures loads up to 6.6 lbs can be securely attached to your bike. Additionally, the new cage’s shape nests gear more effectively with the gridded frame walls providing a plethora of attachment points for those indispensable Salsa straps!

The Anything Bag safely protects essential gear in all conditions.

Salsa’s engineers took the time to listen to travelers and observe how they were using the original cages. They wisely employed that feedback into the 2015 reboot. Not everyone rolls with fork bosses so Anything Cages are often attached to front forks using hose clamps. We stress that this is Not Officially Recommended by Salsa Cycles! But unofficially, a molded channel on the new cage facilitates seamless integration of hose clamps should one choose to employ this mounting option. A convenient coincidence to be sure!

Salsa also took note of the different bags adventurers were employing with the original Anything Cages. The company now offers a waterproof stuff sack designed specifically for use with the new HD cage. Weighing in at 5 oz., The Anything Bag is a mini-drybag featuring an external, bar-tacked daisy chain and a 4.5 liter carrying capacity. I’ve used the Anything Bag on both bike and raft this spring and this tough little sack is a solid choice for carrying essentials in all conditions.

Growler to Go! Anything Cages are great for friendly cruises.

It’s always cool when a company’s product goes from good to great based on end user feedback, a quest for quality and a continuous desire to innovate. Kudos to Salsa Cycles on their efforts here. Whether it’s hauling essential supplies or loading up a cold growler from the local brewery, Salsa’s Anything Cages are unequaled in their utility. If your searching for an affordable and sustainable solution to loading more stuff onto your bike, then look no further than the Anything Cage HD. Add an Anything Bag to the mix and you’re ready for rugged bicycle adventures in all conditions. Happy Trails!

Durango's New Line, The CHAPMAN HILL FLOW TRAIL

 

An overcast July morning kept temps down and provided me with fantastic conditions for riding the new Chapman Hill Flow Trail. I left downtown Durango via the Nature Trail TH on 10th Ave. Climbing the switchbacks to the Rim Trail, I pedaled north to the top of the ski hill. The new trail does not drop off from the Rim so I had to chunder down the Chapman cat track until I could duck into the woods (rider's right) and crank up the single track connector that climbs to the start of the flow route. 

New signage atop the Chapman Hill Flow Trail

The new flow trail starts from a launch pad that is signed with warnings from the city. The route begins with two, long traversing switchbacks where riders can pick up speed and become comfortable with the new line's bumps and berms. But hold on tight! By the trail's third switchback, it's game on with jumps and corners tumbling forever downward towards the base of Chapman Hill. I desperately clung to my fatbike, wishing I had let more air out of my tires while secretly hoping it would all be over soon. But the route flowed on.

wildlife appear indifferent to the new trail's presence. 

Expertly designed, the trail eeks out every last rise and run the topography offers. The final steep pitches were extra terrifying. The last drop leads to a banked S-turn and the juncture with the lower (kid's) flow trail and the super cool Jump Line! Both options are amazing and offer Durango free riders ample opportunity to get their shred on. This old guy on the fat bike was just happy to have survived his descent.



The trail will flow better and become a lot less scary after more folks "ride it in" More tires will accelerate the establishment of buttery single track rather than the freshly cut, rough surface I experienced on my inaugural voyage. But Alpine Bike Park's vision is clear. The new Flow Trail is destined to become a Durango classic. It was a pleasure following this well thought out route down our in-town mountain. I look forward to riding the line for many years to come....maybe with some suspension? Kudos to all involved in completing this excellent project.

fat flow roll

Mountain Bike Radio- Grit & Thistle Phone Interview

*** Crazy travel schedules resulted in me having to record my follow up with Nate Ward over the phone- never ideal! Although the audio from this conversation is crap, the story and Nathan's comments are fantastic. Enjoy! *****

July 1, 2015

Michael interviews Nathan Ward of Grit and Thistle Film Company about their new film, The Rider & The Wolf. The movie documents the life, achievements, and mysterious disappearance of 1991 Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee, Mike Rust. In this short interview, they discuss the motivation behind the film, as well as the ups and downs of creating a unique mountain biking documentary.

If you have an idea for a guest or would like to be on yourself, please contact Ben at Ben@Mountainbikeradio.com. 

---

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

Download: [Episode]

Stream the Episode:

Click for the RSS Feed

---

The Rider & The Wolf - Trailer 2 from Grit & Thistle Film Company on Vimeo.

RELATED SHOW LINKS:

Grit & Thistle Film Company Website

Grit & Thistle Film Company Facebook Page

Email Grit & Thistle: info@gritandthistle.com

Bikepackers Magazine post about The Rider & The Wolf

Bikepackers Magazine

MTB Radio FB Post

2015 Dixie 200 Race Report- Bikepackers Magazine

The Dixie offers big terrain and big smiles // Aaron Johnson Photo

As our nation’s collective attention tracked the fate of the confederate flag this past weekend, another Dixie uprising was going down in Southwestern Utah. The Dixie 200 is a sinister, ultra-endurance bikepacking race that’s evolved steadily since 2010. The event is the brain child of Jedi trail master and endurance guru Dave Harris, who spent years solidifying the route while also creating the Dixie 311(permanent ITT challenge) and the formerly raced and now often toured, Dixie-Lite.

Although it’s generally agreed the Arizona Trail 750 is the hardest on-dirt bikepacking race, it’s also agreed that Harris’s Dixie 200 represents bikepack racing’s hardest, two hundred mile track. Indeed, nothing comes easy on this remote route which tackles a staggering 30,000ft. over 205 miles.

Right off the line, the Dixie 200 climbs over 4000 ft. in the first thirteen miles to reach the high country adjacent to Brian Head Ski Area. Riders are treated to miles of alpine singletrack, traverse the Markagunt Plateau and then sends the Virgin River Rim trail. What makes the Dixie 200 route so special is how the race incorporates seldom traveled trails like Marathon, Grandview and Spruce with known gems like the VRRT, Thunder Mountain, Crawford Pass and Dark Hollow trails. Your navigation skills will surely be tested and most riders encounter their fair share of missed turns and wrong tracks. Decent on-route resupply options exist, but timing and nutrition strategies impact potential utilization of these resources. In 2015, many riders would forgo sleep to make the most out of cooler, nighttime traveling temps. But this decision would also necessitate racers carrying two plus days of food from the start to avoid being skunked by closed gas stations and reaching restaurant resupplies after hours.

Dave Harris (standing right) preps racers at the 2015 Dixie 200 grand depart // Ackerman Photo

Fourteen athletes representing five western states formed the largest field ever to line up for the 7am grand depart. Following the action proved very exciting on Trackleaders.com! Dixie 200 veteran Aaron Johnson was charging strong until saddle sores took him out at Harold’s Place, two thirds of the way through his ride. Pedaling with him was Todd Tanner of Sandy UT., who was crushing and on track to establishing a new course record of his own. However GPS issues led to a navigational error and ultimately relegation for Tanner. The two front-runners were chased by a strong pack of locals and visitors alike who kept the pressure on for the entire race.

Got trail? Better have navigation skills for the Dixie 200 // Aaron Johnson Photo

In the end Mike Barklow of Midvale and Jason Wolf of SLC took the win, also becoming the first two Dixie 200 competitors to ever complete the Pink Cliffs Out and Back time bonus challenge. Hot on their heels were CTR veterans Rick Miller and Scott Shirey who both turned in impressive, sub two-day performances. Nick Woodland, Tom Wolf and Michael Ackerman posted sub-60 hr rides and Evan Solberg represented the California contingent’s only finisher in the 2015 grand depart. Former course record holder Mike DeBernardo of Salt Lake City set out on an Individual Time Trial on Sunday AM, setting the bar for subsequent 2015 ITT attempts with a 1:22:15 finish.

After completing this route, it’s easy to understand the 200’s growing popularity. The trail is a fantastic primer for the 500+ mile Colorado Trail Race or a righteous tour in its own right. Traveling through some of Southwestern Utah’s most scenic, remote and rugged backcountry real estate and providing omni-present resupply puzzles, self-care conundrums and navigational challenges, just attempting this route is a noble feat. Harris concludes, “I’m calling the 2015 Dixie a success. The hot forecast had me a bit nervous but everyone managed it perfectly. The kit sophistication has risen to new levels, apparently that translates to smarter riders too.” Congratulations to all the athletes who answered the Dixie’s rebel yell and made a stand on this beautifully brutal beast of a route.

Gearing up to ride through the night on the 2015 Dixie 200 –Aaron Johnson Photo

*Info and quotes for this race report have been sourced from racers’ personal experiences, the 2015 Dixie Race thread at Bikepacking.net, Trackleaders.com and 2-Epic’s official homepage for the Dixie 200

Bikepackers Radio- June Update on Mountain Bike Radio

June 19, 2015

Neil and Michael get caught up on their recent happenings, including a recap of Neil's winning Stagecoach 400 effort. Then the guys discuss Neil's 2015 Tour Divide attempt, which he is currently on, and chat about several other bikepacking routes. They also give listeners the inside scoop on the gear they both plan to carry for their upcoming events.

If you have an idea for a guest or would like to be on yourself, please contact Ben at Ben@Mountainbikeradio.com. 

---

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

Download: [Episode]

Stream the Episode:

http://www.mountainbikeradio.com/bikepackerradio/june-update/

Bikepackers Magazine First Look (Video): - Alpkit

FIRST LOOK- ALPKIT Bike Luggage, Bar Harness and Bivvy

Follow along as we strap on some ALPKIT bike luggage and set out on a micro-fatpack adventure under threatening skies. Following this shakeout, we’re ready to put the ALPKIT gear through some proper field testing. Stay tuned for Bikepackers Magazine’s  review of the Koala Seatbag, Possum Framebag, Fuel Pod, Stem Cell and the Roo accessory pouches. We’ll also be taking a first look at the company’s new Kanga Handlebar harness and the ultralight Hunka bivvy. (**disclaimer: the framebag in the featured image above is not ALPKIT)