Stories

Erik Mathy, a prolific fund raiser, photographer, and bikepacker, on how he’s doing what he loves to make a difference.

The granite plateaus of the cairngorms began their life far from the sun, at the roots of a mountain chain, at a time when Scotland and America were still parts of the same landmass. Wind, water and ice took their toll, and the mountains were eroded into nothing, but their roots remained. Ice came and … Tread Lightly: The Three Plateaus

“It’s smoky up this way, too,” I said, gazing out the jeep window. Boberts and I were driving northeast, through one of those long, linear valleys the Appalachians are known for. Patches of smoke drifted over the ridge tops and spilled across rural farm fields. It was fall 2016—the weekend after the presidential election—and massive … Plan B in Tennessee – Bikepacking Big South Fork Rec Area

I have a brand new bicycle! Or rather I have an old bike made new again. I had this frame built 10 years ago as a 29” singlespeed touring bike, greatly inspired by Pat Irwin who I heard refer to himself once as a “dirt roadie”. This was long before gravel bikes had been “invented”. … Southwest Wanderings

As the holiday season comes to a close, the adults among us inevitably turn to plans for the year to come, from rudimentary reminders to lofty ambitions. The list spans the chasm from “exercise twice a week” to “race around the world in 80 days.” Regardless of your zest for resolutions, long winter nights are … Holiday Dreaming