Downshift Adventures
Do Not Go Gentle — Adventure & Challenge Yourself This Year
I'm confident each of us is born with a desire to explore and be adventurous. It's in our DNA.
Downshift Adventures
Articles and guides for pursuing a downshifted approach toward adventure. Trail running, gravel cycling, and paths less traveled.
Field Notes
We Did A Thing - Aging Awesome This Autumn
It's been an eventful couple months. Our plan going into the trail running season was to tackle the Mammoth Trail Fest 50K at the end of September. We had to pivot due to some personal issues and an extended trip to Bend, Oregon. Smoke from forest fires put
Downshift Adventures
How To Bikepack Like An Amateur
What could possibly be more wonderfully uncomfortable, more pleasantly basic and more fringe-of-society-ish than living in a 1993 van, often on the side of Hwy 6 with the semi trucks on a hot July weekend? If you know me, it’s a half-planned bikepacking trip, McGyver-ing packs together to carry
Downshift Adventures
Bikepacking California: The Eastern Sierra
Susan and I embark on our first bikepacking adventure.
Field Notes
The Pros And Cons Of Long-Term Van Living
Last week I wrote about ten things I've learned since moving into a van. In reviewing the list there were just two items specifically related to the day-to-day practicalities of living in a van. Those being: No 1. I don't need much. I mentioned my necessities
Field Notes
10 Lessons Learned Living In A Van
We'd been living in a van, on the road, in our Chevy since July 2017. It has been an interesting journey, equally adventurous and tedious. The trail miles have been invigorating and rejuvenating. The road miles have been tedious at times, and rough on the body and mind.
Downshift Adventures
The Man In The Arena — Bandera 50K
“It is not the critic who counts; nor the one who points out how the strong person stumbled, or where the doer of a deed could have done better.” All too often the critic resides within us; the one pointing out how we've stumbled or where we could
Downshift Adventures
Trail Running Adventures in Bishop, CA
I have always loved the Eastern Sierras and was stoked to bring Paul to spend some time in the area. Driving down Hwy 6, onto the 395 and into Bishop felt like coming home for me. The Sierras stretch north and south as far as you can see and the
Downshift Adventures
This Is How We Do It
I have to try hard not to giggle every time (like right now) Paul disappears into the van, practically into our Kitchen Cubbyhole itself, trying to dig out the small burner, pan, matches, or whatever is currently needed. It is shocking how so few things get so massively jumbled in
Downshift Adventures
Our Journey Through Ketchum, Idaho
The weather in Ketchum was growing worse and worse, with a winter storm warning threatening the next few days. Although we advocate taking the “hard path” and want to be tough, the reality is that part of this journey is based on escaping winter because it’s just not comfortable
Downshift Adventures
The First 10 Days of Adventure
The Dirty Good Road and Trail Tour left from Bend, OR, on September 6. We don't know just yet what exactly this is going to become, but we are enthused and optimistic about our travels and the prospect of doing some good, while getting dirty. It feels like