Simplifying

  • Adventuring with Kids,  Gear Reviews,  Mountain Biking,  Road Trips,  Simplifying,  Travel

    Gear Review: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Rack

    Specs: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Straight Weighs 69 pounds Requires heavy duty 2-inch receiver hitch Weight capacity: 300 pounds  MSRP: $749.99 How it performs: Five stars here!  The rack’s design puts the bikes at the proper angle so that they fit easily and don’t damage one another in transport (unlike the mess that can happen with other hitch-mounted racks). Why we like it: I am 5’3″ on a tall day, and I love this rack.  I can load and unload it easily by myself, which is not true of rooftop racks.  It can also be tilted away from the vehicle, even when it’s fully loaded.  It’s made in Canada of…

    Comments Off on Gear Review: North Shore NSR-6 Bike Rack
  • Adventuring with Kids,  Backpacking,  Camping,  Climbing,  Gear Reviews,  River Adventures,  Road Trips,  Simplifying

    Gear Review: Black Diamond Mega Light Tent and Mega Bug

    Whether we’re car camping or backpacking, our Black Diamond Megamid is the shelter I reach for first (apparently they changed the name to Mega Light Tent, but we’ve had this shelter for 20 years, and it was called Megamid until very recently I think!). At less than 3 pounds, it’s fairly light, especially for a shelter that comfortably sleeps four.  I like gear that has enough bells and whistles to make things simple and comfortable, but not so many that it’s distracting and adds unnecessary weight.  The Megamid fits the bill. (Edit: I said the Megamid comfortably sleeps four.  If you’re backpacking and it’s pouring and you need to pull…

    Comments Off on Gear Review: Black Diamond Mega Light Tent and Mega Bug