NOTE: In 2018, I started recording interviews with creatives (writers, filmmakers, podcasters, photographers, editors, etc.) in the adventure world. I’m publishing the highlights of…
“I hate this hill,” I said to the man pushing his mountain bike up the dirt road. He was trying to tell me that…
At about Mile 13 of the Colfax Marathon, I was starting to feel hungry. I did the math in my head—I had about 14…
I trudge forward, the muddy road tugging at my running shoes, splattering my ankles and shins, as I finish the uphill part of my…
Because you know you want your car to smell like your weekend. —Brendan
It’s (hopefully) common knowledge that if you want to climb a Colorado 14er in the summer, you should be on your way down from…
To climb rocks: Use your feet. Despite what you may have seen in Cliffhanger, or depictions of climbing in energy drink ads, rock climbing…
I was hesitant to try Strava at first: Everybody’s heard about some jackass who almost ran over a kid on the trail because they…
Here’s something that didn’t happen: Tommy Caldwell, in the days following the first ascent of the Dawn Wall, being interviewed by a journalist about…
Earlier this year, my book The Great Outdoors: A User’s Guide came out, representing about 12 years’ worth of poking around in the out-of-doors—climbing,…
In early 2013, I walked into a tiny bike shop called Chocolate Spokes in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood because I heard the guy there…
Because we all deserve a little recognition for doing things well out there. —Brendan
Dear New Guy At The Climbing Gym, or lady running around the track at the park for the first time, or person trying out…
Today, I get to share something that some wonderful people and I have been working on for almost two years: a big, fat book…
I got a new bike a couple weeks ago, and if I do say so myself it’s a real work of art, handmade by…
Five years ago this week, I started this blog, hoping a few people might read it and get something out of it: a laugh,…
Everyone knows there are two kinds of people in this world, but did you know there are 12 types of bike commuters? That’s right….
I walked up the stairs at my apartment building last Friday morning, five $20 bills in my hand, and paused for just a second…
A couple Saturdays ago, I got this e-mail from my friend Lee: Would you or anybody else you know be interested in this classic…
1. Jump it off something 2. Put foot pegs on the back and give a friend a ride 3. Ride to a bar with…
We all have that friend who may need a little encouraging to do something they’re a little apprehensive about. Or something they’re just flat-out…
Do you find yourself reading stories about adventures in outdoor magazines and websites and feeling down about what you did on your summer vacation?…
Did you know you don’t have to wear lycra to ride a bicycle? That’s right. You can if you want to, and lots of…
Sometimes, when you invite a new friend out skiing, biking, climbing, or backpacking, it goes really well. But maybe, during the course of the…
Dear states of Utah and Colorado: Hey, so you know what would be cool? If Utah and Colorado became one giant state called “Utahlorado.”…
Dear helmets: You guys are my favorite hats. Sure, other headwear may be more stylish, more “cool,” easier to put on slightly sideways to…
Do you ever say “yes” to a bike ride, day of climbing, run, ski day, or other outdoor activity, and immediately after, notify your…