Coming back to Tucson after nearly five years away hit far more emotionally hard than I expected it to. Jumping into the arms of @mr.beniciajosmith again brought a few tears to my eye, both being the gent who built my @omnium as well as being the very first cargo I ever carried! @russetpeach and I had an amazing time group riding, eating all the Sonoran dogs, waking up at @prestacoffee, breakfast by bike with @campfirecycling, marveling at the architecture and foliage, and simply soaking up all the AZ sun that we could before she hopped Amtrak back to Canaananadia. If I didn’t have so much of the city already filled in (damnit Wandrer...) I definitely would’ve stuck around longer.
Mirror selfie
Cargo West part 2
Happy new year
Couple goals
Characters
TOMBSTONE
Slept in the desert
Slept in a bus
Slept under a bridge
Literally an oasis
This spot felt weird, like it was a meetup / camp spot for a bouldering thing nearby but they had a pro-ICE poster on the wall???
Running around on sand dunes
I’m sorry @madronecycles I’ll try and do better next time…
Met the legend @fixed_everywhere halfway across NM
There’s so much good riding between the Sky Islands in AZ
Pink tiddy building
My @silca_velo electrico still going stronggg
Goddamn I do love a full car piece!
At the end of this tunnel a driver stopped on the side of the road blocking the shoulder to get out and yell at @russetpeach and I saying “DID YOU SEE THE GHOST BIKE BACK THERE SOMEONE DIED YOU SHOUDL BE CAREFUL ON THIS ROAD!!!!1”
Fuck yes @prestacoffee
Rarely in a hurry
From @phxfold on Instagram
Spent a Sunday with @truemarmalade , riding through Phoenix on his last Sunday in the city before he continued his journey by bike. We rolled through familiar streets, talked about travel, movement, and the way a bicycle invites people to slow down.
He shared how simply seeing someone move through the city by bike can make others pause, look around, and reconsider their surroundings. There’s something about being bike people that deepens our empathy for community, place, and the rhythm of the street. Moving slower lets us notice more—the textures of a neighborhood, the small interactions, and the details that disappear at car speed. It gives us space to truly appreciate what’s already there.
We also got into skateboarding and how that way of seeing never really leaves you. Even after not skating actively for years, we still pass spots and instantly imagine the possibilities—lines, angles, movement, and what could happen there. That mindset of curiosity and possibility still shapes the way we move through the city.
Felt special to share this last Phoenix ride and conversation before the next chapter of his journey unfolds. Safe travels, my friend—wishing you smooth roads, meaningful encounters, and many beautiful miles ahead.
Big Dumb Trucks
Reportage for Cargobikefest
Erik Binggeser (@truemarmalade) explores the American landscape from an idiosyncratic vantage point: the saddle of his cargo bike.
As he’s criss-crossed the US, he has documented a troubling phenomenon he calls "Big Dumb Trucks" — oversized, often modified SUVs and pickups that dominate the road and make even a heavy-duty cargo bike look like a toy.
Erik’s photos capture the extremes of American auto culture; but they're also a visual record of "autobesity"—the wider trend of vehicles becoming heavier, wider, and more dangerous. But while Big Dumb Trucks are a fixture of modern Americana, they also form a looming threat to European streets.
A proposed trade deal between the US and EU is currently on the table, and the EU has stated it intends to accept lower US vehicle standards as part of the agreement.
➔ In Europe, strict safety regulations have helped achieve a 36% reduction in road deaths since 2010.
➔ In the US, road deaths have increased by 30% over the same period.
If this goes ahead, the autobesity Erik has documented will be exported directly to Europe. Europe cannot sacrifice road safety for a trade deal.
More than 75 European cities and civil society organisations have already signed an open letter to EU lawmakers. They are clear: The consequences for European road safety would be profound.
We love trash too.
Cargo West part 1
Cold mornings.
One of the most beautiful homes we’ve stayed in.
Smol friend.
Another smol friend.
Visual confusion.
What a cap looks like after 32,000 miles.
Interesting things in Lousiana.
Jan 1 morning.
Man build house.
I just really liked the lighting and timing of this snap while riding.
Big horse!
Small horse!
The first tordle that Taryn rescued.
Dogs.
Ocean.
Bye Florida!
Train.
Hello Texas!
Heading South Part 2
- A biiiig cock
- @ride_finds lite brite
- New longboi friend
- @twobikeschattanooga
- ATL
- Stopped by @thespindleatl and @loosenutscycles
- @russetpeach on some nice roads
- These @shaq gummies are a very underrated ride snack. Revisited Rice Creek Hilton.
- Hey sup
- Handlebaristas. Tunnel. Broke my grabber.
- #baaw
- A request. New flag.
- Ride with new GNV friends.
- 🍊 + 🍑
- #baaw
- @realmdarklabel tube pad as an @omnium bumper.
new lids
Half-Canadian Cargobike-packing Dumpster-Diving Slow-Riding Forever-Living Gothic as new helmet project launch? You know the game at this point…every 200 hours of ride time I’ll be taking off one letter of the best life motto by @stridsland_journal to track the fade process of this orange helmet of mine. Thank you @smithoptics for the support! See y’all in a month or two with the first pull!
Heading South Part 1
- The world’s biggest sculpture of a rocking chair that that doesn’t actually rock.
- The amount of joy that erupts from @russetpeach upon seeing and / or catching literally any animal (especially reptiles and amphibians) is incredible and should be studied.
- New bag I really like by @fromhighabove. #conefarming
- One of the best meals I’ve ever had while staying with my cousin in Indy whose fiancé is an incredibly accomplished chef.
- First time shooting a cx race in YEARS and it’s still just as fun as I remember.
- Some murals in the city @cityofindianapolis .
- Would be a pretty good stem bag camera.
- Make @omnium cargo bikes kiss in cute places.
- @austere_manufacturing step putting in some work.
- A handful of pretty places we pitched our @bigagnes_ .
- #coffeeoutside with the STL crew!
- Was awesome to get to visit my favorite people @hobohubworks @southcitystitchworks at Lemp again.
- Exploded one (just the left side) of my @wolf_tooth_comp pedals??? Right side is still going strong 26,000 miles in.
The Talking Fly
And in case y’all aren’t fed up with pics of me with this ridiculous bike of mine, here’s a set taken by @thetalkingfly (an amazing photographer full of stories of his own) while I was rolling out of SLC. Was damn fun riding along this pathway seeing him pop up on various overpasses and crossings sniping me with the zoom lens. Thank you Steve for the couple hours of being your model and all the conversation on either side.
Got my girl a cargo!
Yuuup that’s right I got my girl a cargo of her own! Ti Mini-max with all the best bits. Many many thanks to @omnium @wolf_tooth_comp @gevenalle @grepp.cc @velo_orange @brooksengland @redshiftsports @realmdarklabel @southcitystitchworks @hobohubworks @simworksusa @madmonkey_designs @spurcycle @foragercycles for getting it outfitted juuust right. So glad that I can now share the dumpster pizza / chips / donuts / etc etc etc carry with @russetpeach 😏
