Touring...or 'bikepacking'?

[iandg]

Please stick to the topic.


ooh - wassat then? (name rings a bell ... )

Bikepacking The 321km Badger Divide | Inverness to G... (outdoorsmagic.com)

 

[TheDoctor]

what bag do you put on the brommie's rear rack?
(I have a 5 speed brommie and also an old front touring bag - they may have changed then design - but never used it.

I've used a rackpack, but now I'll just occasionally bungee stuff on. If there's anything overhanging the rack I tend to catch my heels on it.
I would remove the rack, except that on the back end, everything seems to be bolted to everything else and I'd never get the mudguard sitting straight again / the stop disk in the right place / the rear brake centered or some other damn thing!

 

[Cycleops]

I worry about older cyclists staying flexible: well the good news is, their hips/pelvis area should stay trim if they're swinging a leg over these bags twice a day:

I can get my leg over quite well enough thank you.

 

[Cycleops]

With all this talk of 'bike packing' I suppose it's no use asking if anyone has a Dawes Galaxy?

 

[DRM]

Bike packing, touring, both are just another name for sticking your nose into someone else’s town/city/woods overnight or longer and going home again.

 

[mudsticks]

Which is your favouritist bit? - I lived/worked in Stornoway for 21 years (now in D&G)

Yes I remember you saying that about Lewis long time back..

But I don't want to say favouritist place, in public..

Just in case it becomes a site of pilgrimage

 

[mudsticks]

Which is your favouritist bit? - I lived/worked in Stornoway for 21 years (now in D&G)

Although I fancy a wee tour of D&G.. So when I come to pick yr brains about that.. I might let slip

 

[Cathryn]

This is a great thread, so many interesting perspectives. It's making me want to go touring SO badly!!!

 

[nickyboy]

Bikepacking has been a godsend to me and some friends who are hopefully doing LEJOG this year

We don't own bikes that would accommodate a traditional pannier touring setup. Bikepacking equipment allows us to carry enough stuff on our bikes for several days. The added benefit is that it's more aerodynamic than panniers (in addition to also fitting on a bike which is probably a bit quicker than a traditional touring bike)

We are "touring" in that we are on a multiday adventure on our bikes. But bikepacking equipment has allowed it to happen. The fact we are not interested in camping means bikepacking gear will suffice for what we need to carry

 

[Oldhippy]

I will get around to laying the whole lot out around the trusty bike and taking pictures.

 

[Cathryn]

(in addition to also fitting on a bike which is probably a bit quicker than a traditional touring bike)

Now, THIS bit interests me. It hadn't occurred to me that bike-packing kit would be an easy way to convert a road bike into a tourer (in some respects). Sounds obvious but I hadn't thought about that aspect of it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Yebbut what if you go on a Wednesday

Wednesaway

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Booking. com has revolutionised my trips, I can turn up wherever, and if its pouring with rain, and I haven't had a shower for a few days, rather than hunker down in the woods being dripped on I can check myself into somewhere warm and dry..

Being able to book places that way mid tour is great isn’t it!

 

[nickyboy]

Now, THIS bit interests me. It hadn't occurred to me that bike-packing kit would be an easy way to convert a road bike into a tourer (in some respects). Sounds obvious but I hadn't thought about that aspect of it.

It's inevitably a compromise. It's hard to add much more than about 5-6kg of luggage using bikepacking equipment. So you're going to have to use B&Bs etc. By being fairly ruthless we have managed a practice pack for 5 nights (we are going home half way through a 10 day LEJOG) and this allows us to use our regular road bikes.

 

[oldworld]

During our lock down for 9 weeks in 2020 when we were banned from cycling I tortured myself by watch this guys travels.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqiYX6cqxQI9CqhH_kvHeOw.
He started in Alaska on a conventional touring bike with panniers but these days is on a fat bike bikepacking in South America.
If you watch his videos it's clear why for his type of exploring he's made the change.
I've seen most of his videos and what he puts himself and bikes through is incredible.
If you do take a look start with him on his touring bike and you'll see why he's changed from touring bike to a bike packing machine.