Reader’s Rig: Michael’s Stooge Dirt Tracker
In this feature, we delve into Michael O’Dwyer’s Stooge Dirt Tracker, a steel frameset he won through a BIKEPACKING.com giveaway. Michael transformed it into a versatile all-terrain bike, embarking on monthly overnight adventures with his son, Vidar, throughout 2026. Here’s an in-depth look at their journey and the bike that made it possible.
The Genesis of the Adventure
Receiving the Stooge Dirt Tracker frameset was a serendipitous moment for Michael. Already owning several bikes, he pondered its potential. Around the same time, he and his son, Vidar, devised a challenge for 2026: “12 Adventures in 26.” The objective was straightforward—sleep outdoors at least once every month for the entire year. While the concept was simple, the Swedish winter posed significant challenges. From January through March, temperatures plummeted below freezing, daylight was scarce, and conditions could turn severe rapidly. To ensure safety and enjoyment, meticulous planning was essential.
The First Expedition
Their inaugural overnight adventure took them to central Sweden in search of military aircraft wreckage rumored to be scattered across remote marshlands. They camped in an open cabin, once an army observation post overlooking the bogs. After hours of searching, they discovered fragments of an aircraft just as the season’s first snow began to fall. This marked the successful completion of their first adventure.
Building the Bike
Upon returning home, the Stooge frame awaited assembly. Collaborating with friends at Fix My Bike in Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm, they began constructing the bike. Utilizing a set of American Classic rims and hubs from a previous build, they added a SRAM GX 1×12 drivetrain and SRAM G2 brakes, ensuring simplicity and reliability. The result was a unique blend of components from different eras, embodying an honest and purpose-built adventure bike suitable for a teenage rider.
Preparing for Winter
To make the bike winter-ready, they equipped it with 27.5 x 3.0-inch studded Suomi tires. In Sweden, studded tires are indispensable when navigating icy conditions, serving as a crucial safety measure. February arrived with cold, clear days, and everything froze solid, transforming lakes into highways.
Exploring Kloten
They set their sights on Kloten, located on the border of Dalarna and Örebro counties. Michael was familiar with the area from previous trips. Kloten also served as the starting point for The Miner’s Trail, a bikepacking route he had designed and published. In winter, the region underwent a complete transformation. The dense forests and network of lakes became a vast white expanse of frozen opportunity.
Their plan was straightforward: establish a base camp in a free, non-bookable log cabin deep in the forest and spend the day exploring the interconnected frozen lakes by bike. The cabin was basic, featuring only a fireplace and a few wooden benches, but it was perfectly situated for their intended activities.
Before heading out, they visited Nordic Adventures, the local outfitter in Kloten. Michael, the owner, shared invaluable insights about ice thickness and safe passages through the labyrinth of lakes. His team offered bike and canoe rentals in summer and wildlife tours in winter, providing a comprehensive understanding of the region year-round. Armed with local knowledge and additional supplies, they pedaled toward the cabin.
The Stooge Dirt Tracker Build
- Frame/Fork: Stooge Dirt Tracker
- Rims: American Classic / Fatlabs
- Hubs: American Classic / Fatlabs
- Tires: Suomi Tyres 27.5″ Fast Freddie, Studded
- Handlebars: Junker Bar with 100mm of rise
- Headset: FSA TH 857
- Crankset: SRAM GX Eagle
- Pedals: XLC PD-M12
- Cassette: SRAM GX Eagle 10-52
- Derailleur(s): SRAM GX Eagle
- Brakes: SRAM G2 RE
- Shifter(s): SRAM GX Eagle
- Saddle: Selle Royal Vivo Ergo
- Seatpost: Giant alloy
- Stem: XLC alloy
- Front bags: Revelate Designs Terrapin Pronghorn harness and Challenge Ultra 200 UHMWPE roll bag
- Frame bags: Revelate Designs Ranger
- Rear bags: Revelate Designs Terrapin
As they approached the cabin, it became evident that riding all the way in wasn’t feasible. The snow was knee-deep and untracked. They hauled their gear the final stretch, breaking trail and joking that they felt more like porters than cyclists. Skiers might call it a bluebird powder day; they called it hard work. Then the cabin appeared, painted in classic Falun red and nestled among the pines, making the effort worthwhile.
Back at the trailhead, they loaded the Stooge for the lake mission. The setup felt dialed. A Revelate Designs Ranger frame bag held their food and cooking kit, fitting neatly within the steel triangle and leaving space for a large thermal flask. A Terrapin saddle bag carried spare layers, and a Revelate Pronghorn harness and roll bag up front stored a down jacket and extra gloves. Everything had its place.
The Journey Across Frozen Lakes
When they finally ventured onto the frozen lake, the mood shifted instantly. Smiles all around. The wind had scoured most of the loose snow from the surface, leaving just enough texture for grip while maintaining that magical smoothness that makes you feel like you’re gliding. They pedaled north across a landscape that felt untouched. Towering cliffs rose directly from the ice. Waterfalls hung frozen in mid-cascade. Snow-covered pines framed the shoreline. Out there, it felt entirely possible that they were the first people to ride bicycles across those particular lakes in winter.
One highlight came when they spotted otter tracks cutting across the snow. The pattern told a story. A few quick paw prints, then a long belly slide, then prints again. Over and over. It looked like nature’s Morse code, playful and efficient at the same time. Even in the harshness of winter, life was thriving.
They stopped for lunch at one of the many wind shelters scattered along the lakes. Despite temperatures well into the negative double digits Celsius, they found a sun trap that offered surprising warmth. Sitting there, passing around hot drinks from the thermos, joking and replaying the best moments of the morning, it struck Michael that this challenge was not about enduring the cold. It was about stacking memories.
Eventually, the sun dipped lower, brushing the tops of the tall pines with gold. In February, daylight fades quickly, and they still had the return crossing ahead of them. The ride back felt faster. Familiarity breeds confidence. Soon, they were hauling the bikes back toward the cabin.
Evening in a remote winter hut follows a timeless rhythm. Gather wood. Split kindling. Strike a match. Coax flame into fire. They had brought a generous supply of dry firewood, knowing that morale in winter often depends on heat. Soon the cabin glowed orange, boots steamed dry near the hearth, and dinner simmered on the stove.
Outside, the temperature continued to drop as the Stooge leaned quietly against the wall, ice crystals still clinging to its steel tubes. It had already proven itself, stable on ice, capable in snow, and perfectly suited