For my adventures I'll be riding a SEVEN CYCLES Sola 29 SL. Seven manufactures high-end frames from butted and straight-gauge domestically-sourced seamless 3-2.5 titanium in their Watertown, MA facility. Seven develops custom geometry and a custom tube set so that the design of the frame is fine-tuned specifically for the cyclist. Seven is known for its impeccable fit and comfort.

Build details: Components are Shimano Deore XT. The fork is a FOX 32 TALAS 29 120 FIT CTD Remote. Wheelset is ENVE M60 (built by Sugar Wheelworks) with Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35 front and rear. Bags by Revelate: Sweet roll, Viscacha seat bag, Gas tank, and two mountain feedbags. Headset and hubs are provided by Chris King. Chris King is number one for durability and serviceability and just being gorgeous. We also love that they're made not only in the US, but right here in Portland, OR.

So far the ride quality is exceptional. The bike rides like it's on rails, both loaded and unloaded. It's comfortable without being squishy, stiff enough for solid climbing. I'm so pleased with this bike. It rides like a dream. You know that quality of a bike when it disappears and simply does its job. You float over bits of rough trail without complaint. It handled the Kenai Peninsula extremely well and I can't wait to test it on some other terrain…Idaho, Colorado, Utah…bring it on!