VW Beetle Final Edition Goes to R2R 2019
Roswell, NM. It seemed a natural. On the 20th Anniversary of R2R (Return to Roswell), which also is the final year for the beloved VW Beetle, we took a Final…
Arizona’s Fossilized Cars
I was in the Phoenix area last April so I could meet up with a couple friends and drive with them to Radwood Vegas. We had a day to kill…
Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: Ortlieb Duffle RS Series Bag
Ortlieb has long been known for high quality waterproof wares: from bicycle panniers, messenger bags, to day packs and duffle bags, these bags can take a multitude of beatings and…
Crankshaft Culture Gear Garage: Helinox Lite Cot
It’s critical to get a good night’s sleep, especially after a hard day of off-roading, hiking, biking, or other adventure activity. Your body is tired and achy; your mind longing…
Gear and Rigs of the 2019 Overland Expo West
If you love adventure vehicles, off-roading and traveling—chances are you’re into the associated gear that goes with them. Proper gear can make you more prepared, smarter and self-reliant both on…
2019 Inaugural Texas Off-Road Invitational: Who’s Top Dog in the Texas Dirt?
The inaugural Texas Off-Road Invitational event was held by the Texas Motor Press Association at General Sam’s Offroad Park in Huntsville, Texas. Nearly three dozen automotive journalists came together to…
2019 Oregon Trail Rally: Racing and Rally Culture.
Oregon Trail Rally is the state’s biggest stage rally event. It brings out both the big dogs, such as the Subaru Motorsports USA team that includes David Higgins and Travis…
Mudfest: The 2019 NW Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year
ABOVE: Still one of my favorites, the runner up in the Subcompact and Compact Family class, the 2019 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. Photo: Ryan Douthit, MediaSpigot LLC The Northwest Automotive Press…
Super Sleepers
I’ve long wanted to build some sort of super sleeper. You take one car that is not anywhere near a high-performance vehicle from the factory, add in some sort of…
Remember: We’re All Gearheads
I’ve long said that most people love to belong to something. Whether it’s a club, a devout loyalty to a brand, or whatever. Everyone likes to belong somehow when it…
Guest Posts
Can an Insurance Lawyer Help With a Non-Injury Car Accident?
According to a preliminary analysis from the National Safety Council, an estimate of 37,810 deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred in the US in 2025. This is a 12% decrease from the reports from the previous year. In the United States, even accidents without physical injuries can lead to complex…
Why Vehicle Size Matters More in City Traffic Than Drivers Realize
City driving has a way of making every vehicle feel larger than it looks on paper. A compact car can vanish beside a delivery van. An older sedan can lose its view of the road behind a tall SUV. A bus pulling away from the curb can shift the pace…
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage and How Does It Work?
According to a 2025 Insurance Research Council study, 15.4 percent of drivers in 2023 were uninsured, which works out to be more than one in seven drivers. Most states were displaying trends of high uninsured motorist rates from 2017 to 2023. When a driver who is to blame for an…