Just a reminder - for questions about the gear, check the video description. The full list is here as well: www.patreon.com/posts/107025941? We’re on the trip we mention in this video so we don’t have time to respond to every comment, even though we wish we did! ❤ Chris & Hillary
I'm an older ultralite backpacker and have now gone to an e-bike for bikepacking. I tow a cart to carry most of my bikepacking gear (this gear comes from my daze of ultralite backpacking) it provides all the needed gear for a fun and comfortable overnight adventure and weighs ~35 lbs. At 69 I say whatever works for you to continue to get out and enjoy the great outdoors then do it. Also, I no longer have to camp near water, I carry a gallon or two with me...
This is going to seem really dumb, but bear with me. One thing I carry, that is absolutely essential for me, is a small candle lantern. We all know how important rest-sleep-recovery is. I have found that at the end of the day, getting everything sorted, then eating, and then crashing, is not beneficial. So once my dinner is finished and the dishes are done, I find it helpful to sit (I carry a camp chair) and relax for a few minutes. I usually hang the lantern from a convenient limb and set my watch alarm for about fifteen to twenty minutes. The warm glow that candle puts out is quite restful. "Resting" before sleeping? Sound a little odd? Maybe, but I've had a lot of success with it, and I've shared it with all my traveling companions, and I've had quite a few converts. The relaxing is probably more important than the candle lantern itself, but maybe the ritual has something to do with it for me.
As long as you’re conscious not to set the land on fire, sounds very relaxing! (We come from a fire prone place, so we’re always hesitant about open flame.)
Sounds good to me. I've been doing it for years. On a cold night or under attack by mesquites, I bring the candle into the tent. and set it on my aluminum pot lid/plate. The candle is held in pland by a small bike wrench. The warm glow set the tone for slumber or on a cold night to break the chill. For candles I use Tea lights. The best Tea lights are Bee's wax and are full spectrum. My extra wee bit I carry is a folding stainless steel steamer basket to drain the water off my pasta, when tipped over becomes a lantern that is wind proof, and I can put my tea kettle on top to keep the tea warm. An alternative today is a solar folds flat LED lantern. A candle is better than a camp fire and best NO smoke.
You guys have such a dorky positive energy; I loved it. Watched it from beginning to end (so rare right?!). Thanks for sharing your gear and all experience from choosing it. I mostly liked the fact that there is both expensive gear that really makes the difference sometimes (like the tent) and some low-budget working alternatives like the dry bags fork bags. The most important is to find what works for each of us, so kudos to you guys for finding it!
Always interesting to see what others bring on the trail. I definitely carry more tools with me when traveling solo. I also carry DC string lights and another small lantern for ambiance and some extra light around camp. And lastly, I do carry the portable bidet. It keeps the undercarriage clean and reduces the amount of wipes needed, which I pack out in a double baggy of borax powder. +1 on the camp chair. Really reduces fatigue to be able to relax after a day in the saddle without having to lie down in the tent.
Well, I'm glad I've discovered you. This video just inspired me to look more into bikepacking. I'll start looking for a bike just after I finish watching. And by the way the quality of the video is amazing. You have very good film and edit skills + you two are just so natural in front of the camera. I LOVE IT!
Thanks so much for a great video idea with great execution. So handy. So jealous of what you two get up to on your bikes. Truly an inspiration to us first timers
Thanks! Glad to hear the execution came out well. It definitely didn’t match what we imagined it would look like, but it was the best we could figure out how to do at the moment. We’re still learning a ton about video creation.
Our helmets are nothing special, Hillary has a Specialized helmet that she has owned longer than we have been bikepacking, and Chris has used a variety of helmets because he has a bad habit of forgetting his at home and then renting or buying a new one.
As I have only done solo bike packing trips the thing I am most envious of is that you guys seem to mesh well together on your adventures. I respect and admire how well you have dialed in your gear and equipment for your own needs but are seemingly a tight knit team. Respect and blessings!
Thanks! We’re really grateful that we work well together too. Haha also: remember that we get to edit out any parts where we’re mad at each other if we want. (It’s rare, though.)
You guys. So nice and fun to watch. I´ve made some different choices regarding front/rear but other than that it all looks solid and well thought out. Nice to see some quality stuff that, despite pricing also lasts a lot longer, so in the end a better deal. And you´re just the sweetest ☀
Thank you both for running through your gear. It is always good to learn from others' experiences. I'm surprised by the additional weight of all your camera and drone equipment. I already struggle with too much weight, even though I don't carry videoing equipment. My bag setup is similar to yours. I guess however, I have to carry all the tent, sleeping, and cooking equipment myself because I travel solo. I've been tempted to get a little chair like yours so that I don't always have to sit on the ground. I like where you stow your chair on the front rack Hilary. I too have a Rohloff gear hub like Hilary's. Once you have ridden with one you never want to go back to derailleurs. I'm wondering what you do for lights? I carry a head torch, just a cheap one from the hardware store which takes AAA batteries. I have a small inflatable USB lantern which is very useful when I'm stuck inside the tent on rainy evenings. I have several very small USB red flashing lights for the back of my bike and the back of my camelback water bag. I also have a flashing white light on one of the dry bags on my front fork, in addition to the main front light. All my dry bags are bright yellow. I am trying to be as visible as possible. I was surprised with what you decided to put into your frame bags. I prefer to load heavier items like tools and repair gear, into my frame bag, along with 3 litres of water. With a desire to keep the weight centralised and have as low centre-of-gravity as possible. I also pack my tent, sleeping and cooking gear into the dry bags on the front forks in an attempt to get 60% of the weight over the front wheel and 40% over the rear wheel. This just makes the bike handle better, especially on rough singletrack. Enjoy your riding and keep the rubber side down. Thank you.
I love the way you have your front pack canted forward with a water bottle behind. Have you herd of the pocket shower. Yep all you do is find a water source fill er up with 3-4 bottles of water hang it up somewhere discreet and you get a shower.
i really like the guys bags in the center. I'm about to build an electric trike and ride from va beach to Montana. being able to see other peoples set up is very handy because it allows me to plan how to build the thing. from the seats to the bags this video has been extremely helpful.
Good presentation. Lots of ways to solve the same problems. We all figure out what works for our needs. I'm a little more old school mainly because I'm old and have been using and modifying old equipment for the past 50 some years of kayak touring, backpacking, canoe touring and bike touring. I'm not a stuff it in pannier sort of guy. I keep everything in a color-coded stuff bags. Works for me. My triangle holds two stainless steel one liter thermal wide mouth bottles. I have started mounting four grab bags on the handlebars, two on the front of the bar and two facing the cockpit. I like small front panniers because I feel they are more versatile than dry bags on the fork. Depending on the days agenda and weather I can put extra water on each side or a quick grab for my rain jacket or wind jacket, or grocery stop storage for the day lunch or supper. On the top of the back rack, I carry a dry bag with all the camp sight set up items, tent and poles, my 45 year old Thermolite sleep pad, camp shoes. The dry bag when emptied becomes my door mat. Gave up on a sleeping bag a few years ago and went to the MSS, Modular Sleep System and only take the modules needed for the time of year. I always carry my 16 oz Blizard bag year around in a bright yellow dry bag to cover my body from the tip of my toes to the top of my head in alpaca and merino wool if caught in a storm. Which is also one of the modules in my MSS.
It is an AcuRite thermometer that we bought from Amazon. But, when it breaks we will probably replace it with a ThermoWorks zipper pull thermometer from Garage Grown Gear.
I'm glad your video popped up I have a Surly Bridge Club that is begging me to take it on a long (months) road trip I have a couple of bags for it but have been concentrating on the bike components slowly but surely thanks again for the information I'll be watching this again 😊
Put in a belt driven Rholoff Hubb and a Son Dynamo Hub...and Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyers....off you go !!! I have Traveled 50k with mine...and they are still going strong !!! Replace the oil in the hub every 10k....bobs your uncle !!!!
I took them to Italy and then on a local trip on rougher roads over this last weekend. I’m a huge fan. I don’t use them for commuting because they take like 30 seconds each to take on and off, compared to one second each for ortlieb panniers. But for trips I will probably continue to use them because they’re just so stable.
Great video, I guess what suprized me is u guys don't use bike shorts(unless I missed that)..Trying to get back into biking now(after about a 20yr hiatis) gosh it's a slow process and thes old muskels just dont have much in them... thanks so much for sharing w us!
Thanks! Yeah, we’ve just never seen the need to bring extra clothes just for biking when regular clothes work just fine. Sometimes we think the biking industry tries to convince you you need to spend money on things that you really don’t need. (Also, our first trip was in Turkey and it would have been inconsiderate for Hillary to wear bike shorts in rural conservative areas, so we just got used to it.)
Love your bike! Actively looking for a bike I can take small tours on. Your channel is awesome. Can you tell me where to buy or the name of that handlebar tape with the multi-color brown diamond pattern? The bike I’m looking at would look great with that wrapped around the bars. Thank you for putting out great content! ❤
It depends on how long the trip and where we are. In the US, we eat your standard backpacking food, lots of dehydrated meals that we either make ourselves or purchase. In Turkey, we ate a lot of rice, lentils, veggies and bouillon for flavor. In Italy, we usually bought fresh pasta, canned sauce, and veggies from supermarkets. Breakfast is coffee and often yoghurt + muesli. Lunch varies. Plus a lot of fruit, nuts, and cookies as snacks.
Hi Hillary and Chris! Ive been watching your latest videos religiously in the lead up to my first big bikepacking/touring adventure, 6 months across europe with my partner. We are both from New Zealand and I have never left the country before so your videos have been incredibly helpful and inspiring. I was just wondering what is the extendable and detachable bike stand you have is? Im sorry if youve mentioned this somehwere and I missed it. Anyways, happy biking!
If you mean the little black telescoping ones, they are called Click-stands. They’re made by a guy in Washington state and he custom makes the length based on your bike. We’re excited for your adventure! And very jealous!!
Oh, I like them! I haven’t really noticed them being heavy or anything, and I do think I notice being less fatigued. Might be placebo effect, but I’m keeping them.
Our ulock just happens to fit perfectly between the seat stays and the rear rack. A voile strap around the rack struts keeps it there and out of the way.
Great video. How does the Arundel Looney Bin bottle cage performance with a loaded bottle on rough terrain? Can it hold a standard cycling water bottle too? Thanks. Keep riding.
Pirelli cinturato and ultradynamico. And yes at the moment. Though Hillary is not convinced that they’re better than tubes as her rear tire doesn’t seem to want to hold air despite all efforts to fix it, the repair kit is heavier, and sealant isn’t available everywhere.
if your going to go ANYWHERE, you need a bear vault or other hard bear resistant container, many national parks in the US wont allow you in unless you carry one ore rent a camp sote with a storage container
You make a good point! You should always know the rules and regulations for the areas you are traveling in. The strict camping restrictions in place at National Parks is one of the reasons we tend to avoid NPS land.
Fyi footnpksition over pedals should be the ball of the foot directly over the axle spindle. Then, plumb line through the knee to the pedal's axle (cranks horizontal). Adjust your saddles fore-aftnposition for that. Once that is set, Adjust bike frame size and/or stem length and Handlebar reach so that you feel comfortable, within ideals of course. Your weight distribution should be 60% on the back wheel and 40% on the front. Between 60-40 up to 55-45 unloaded. (hey if your hardware isn't working, get a bike fit before choosing the frame size. If it's too long, shorter stem and bars reach isn't ideal because too much weight over the back wheel makes for a more squirrely ride when you take hands off the bars.)
Agreed, I used to ride with heavily loaded panniers in the rear. My bike handled terribly. The steering was too light and squirrelled all over the place, lacking stability. The back end used to slide out on loose corners. Climbing hills was ultra-tough. Your advice about peddles and knee alignment is also very important. On long tours, avoiding knee, hip and ankle injuries is paramount. Thanks for your contribution.
Hi! It's hard for us to suggest specific bikes because we've only tried a few! But full suspension MTBs are heavy so not great for uphill. Many people like hardtails. Ours are called "all-terrain bikes", so they're meant to go everywhere. They are fully rigid bikes with comfortable geometry.
Sea to Summit sells a detachable sling for their dry bags so you can make your dry bag backpack-like. How does the 13L dry bag feel on the rack? I have the same setup with an 8L, but I'm considering upgrading for a longer trip.
It’s never bothered me, but on our last trip I tried using a handlebar bag that could hold more of my gear so I could put my sleeping stuff in a pannier and get it off the rack. I liked it… it’s so hard to find the perfect set up though!
Hi, we actually don't carry laptops with us on our trips. If we did, we would probably put them in a pannier, since they are waterproof. We're not quite sure how much weight the bike holds as they are hard to weigh, but it sure does make it hard!
Fantastic and informative. I love y’all’s approach. What brand is Chris’s shirt? I have tried some merino wool shirts, and they all hang off of me like a poorly hung rainfly (I’m on the lanky side). Thanks! And happy travels.
Interesting to know your stance on bib shorts? I used to not like the idea of them but can’t deny that they’re easy to move in, provide some comfort and for me at least hide my crease! How do you manage this in regular shorts?
I don’t know what you mean by hide your crease? I dunno, it would just be another thing to spent money on and pack. The pants and shorts we wear aren’t uncomfortable, and they look like normal clothes so we don’t stand out. Plus peeing is easier without bibs. Also, they would have been inappropriate for Hillary to wear in rural eastern Turkey. We just haven’t ever seen the need for them, and sometimes think the idea that we need specialized clothes for bike travel just encourages unnecessary consumption. But if they work for you, great!
@@slow_spokes crease, crack, butt crack ;) I think it probably isn’t such an issue for slimmer people than me. I get your point about consumption but I really struggle to ride in regular shorts
Yes, they are Ortlieb Gravel panniers. I haven’t had any issues with broken clips, but Hillary did break the clips on her Ortlieb panniers in Türkiye. Now we make sure we always have a few spare gear ties in our repair kits.
I see you have the Ponderosa Panniers by OMM. You have the identical setup as I, with the Divide rack as well. Either I'm doing something wrong, or the attachment of the OMM panniers is a total pain in the A**. Very secure when attached, but if you're looking for a quick into the store detachable pannier... this might not be the one. What do you think?
It's not super easy to take off, so they aren't my commuting panniers. I'm using them for bikepacking trips where they usually stay on the bike all the time. I do take them off a couple times a week when on the road, and it's definitely gotten easier with practice. I am still using them for traveling because I like how stable and light they are, but yeah for commuting where I take bags on and off the bike a couple times a day, I use Ortliebs.
Thanks for sharing guys. What bottle cage do you use to carry the big long water bottle in the frame (I guess a 1,5 liter nalgene)? Edit: never mind, found it on your gear list! Unforunately not available in NL
They're called "Problem Solvers Bow Tie Strap Anchor Kit" - for the record, though, I don't like them and can't recommend them. They're not stable enough, the bags don't stay on very well.
Hey Chris! How do you like your Brooks saddle on drop bar bike? I cannot decide between B17 regular Imperial(Carved) and B17 Imperial(Carved) Narrow...
It has worked well for me. I am able to spend long days in the saddle without bothering with padded shorts (after breaking it in of course). The only change I’ve made is to switch from the regular B17 to the imperial, which I’ve been happier with. My bike does have a slightly more upright geometry than a lot of drop bar bikes though, and I really only spend time in the drops on long descents or while ridding into strong headwinds.
@slow_spokes Thank you. My gravel is also bit more upright than usual. I installed B17 Imperial, with standard width. It suits me right away! Rode 30kms with it, I never had such comfortable saddle. I can't imagine how comfortable it will be after breaking in :) Thank you for your recommendation, it helped me a lot!
Did you notice that they both ride on Brooks Saddles? For over 40 years I have always ridden with undershorts that include a padded chamois, together with chamois cream. Then, I switched to Brooks Saddles on all my bikes. After a time I noticed that when I rode to the shop for some groceries or rode shorter distances I didn't need to change into my bike nics. Now, I take some bike nics away with me to use on longer-distance days. But, you know, I don't really need the extra protection. As long as I am very strict about my body hygiene when I get very sweaty, and after I go to the toilet. I've learned to take baby wipes away with me to clean up. So, now I ride mostly in my normal underwear.
I generally carry more bike repair stuff to fix broken things that will end riding and sometimes pushing. e.g. spare spokes, there are also spectra fiber temporary "spokes" because i've been in situations where a wheel no longer rolled in the frame after 3-4 adjacent spokes broke. With all that camera gear, i'm surprised one of you doesn't have a dynamo hub on the front.
Good points! Somehow we forgot to mention that Chris has a fiber spoke in his seat bag as well as several spare spokes attached to the frame. Dynamos are definitely on the wish list for a longer tour, but for now a couple of battery packs have been more than sufficient. Our understanding is that most dynamos are only powerful enough to keep a light and maybe a phone or gps charged. And, Hillary has worked with a bike fitter along the journey to a bike that fits. So far the Fargo has been great!
Why is mostly colored black? My panniers are yellow, and my jacket is red, helmet is orange. Doesn't it make sense to wear coloured stuff? Apart of my thought, thanks for the video!
It's crazy how much weight you pedal, it's also crazy you can trip long with bicycles, I get tired even driving a car. I drive bicycle but only on weekends, just to have a rest and do little travel around the place I live.
I got so sick of packing & unpacking all my belongings. Now i just tour camp in topical locations & have reduced everything by 70% (honest guess). Riding a loaded fully touring bike is not much fun too
Handguns are problematic on so many levels. It’s best to leave them at home and rely on non-lethal defenses like pepper spray/bear spray. I just completed a tour of the US on the Northern Tier, and I can honestly say that I never felt like I was in danger.
Hi Hillary, I just saw your video and am REALLY interested in these ear-savers!!! But I can't find them in the instructions. Is there a link or product name that you can give me?. Cheers,. Frank
Oh! Thank you for pointing that out! Here’s the link: amzn.to/4cTMo1Z Those are the slim version. They have a thicker version that does a better job but I’m vain. :) Of course the one link I mention in the video I forgot to put in the description. 🤦🏽♀️
Do you find that the wool bra dries faster than a cotton bra? One of my biggest complaints is that my bra will stay wet with sweat way longer than the rest of my clothes.
Just a reminder - for questions about the gear, check the video description. The full list is here as well: www.patreon.com/posts/107025941?
We’re on the trip we mention in this video so we don’t have time to respond to every comment, even though we wish we did!
❤ Chris & Hillary
Didn’t see the mention in your list of the windbreaker ear pieces for your helmet strap. What are those?
@@bike-ride-beats It's right at the top, but easy to miss: amzn.to/4cTMo1Z
@@slow_spokesthanks!
hey nice vid. wats the total weight of your bike+packing. thx
I'm an older ultralite backpacker and have now gone to an e-bike for bikepacking. I tow a cart to carry most of my bikepacking gear (this gear comes from my daze of ultralite backpacking) it provides all the needed gear for a fun and comfortable overnight adventure and weighs ~35 lbs. At 69 I say whatever works for you to continue to get out and enjoy the great outdoors then do it. Also, I no longer have to camp near water, I carry a gallon or two with me...
how does bikepacking with an ebike work as far as charging?
This is going to seem really dumb, but bear with me. One thing I carry, that is absolutely essential for me, is a small candle lantern. We all know how important rest-sleep-recovery is. I have found that at the end of the day, getting everything sorted, then eating, and then crashing, is not beneficial. So once my dinner is finished and the dishes are done, I find it helpful to sit (I carry a camp chair) and relax for a few minutes. I usually hang the lantern from a convenient limb and set my watch alarm for about fifteen to twenty minutes. The warm glow that candle puts out is quite restful. "Resting" before sleeping? Sound a little odd? Maybe, but I've had a lot of success with it, and I've shared it with all my traveling companions, and I've had quite a few converts. The relaxing is probably more important than the candle lantern itself, but maybe the ritual has something to do with it for me.
I can see your approach to the candle its like watchin a fire its simple to drift into your thoughts
As long as you’re conscious not to set the land on fire, sounds very relaxing! (We come from a fire prone place, so we’re always hesitant about open flame.)
I can see how that would be a good time to relax.
I enjoy watching the sunset and the occasional campfire
Sounds good to me. I've been doing it for years. On a cold night or under attack by mesquites, I bring the candle into the tent. and set it on my aluminum pot lid/plate. The candle is held in pland by a small bike wrench. The warm glow set the tone for slumber or on a cold night to break the chill. For candles I use Tea lights. The best Tea lights are Bee's wax and are full spectrum. My extra wee bit I carry is a folding stainless steel steamer basket to drain the water off my pasta, when tipped over becomes a lantern that is wind proof, and I can put my tea kettle on top to keep the tea warm. An alternative today is a solar folds flat LED lantern. A candle is better than a camp fire and best NO smoke.
I enjoyed it from the first minute to the last.
Keep sharing your incredible experiences!
You guys have such a dorky positive energy; I loved it. Watched it from beginning to end (so rare right?!). Thanks for sharing your gear and all experience from choosing it. I mostly liked the fact that there is both expensive gear that really makes the difference sometimes (like the tent) and some low-budget working alternatives like the dry bags fork bags. The most important is to find what works for each of us, so kudos to you guys for finding it!
Thanks! 🤓 to be transparent, we both upgraded to tail fin fork bags for Christmas :)
Always interesting to see what others bring on the trail. I definitely carry more tools with me when traveling solo. I also carry DC string lights and another small lantern for ambiance and some extra light around camp. And lastly, I do carry the portable bidet. It keeps the undercarriage clean and reduces the amount of wipes needed, which I pack out in a double baggy of borax powder. +1 on the camp chair. Really reduces fatigue to be able to relax after a day in the saddle without having to lie down in the tent.
Love the peanut butter jar! I hadn't seen before, simple and creative use of trash
Kudos for the DIY quilt!
Well, I'm glad I've discovered you.
This video just inspired me to look more into bikepacking. I'll start looking for a bike just after I finish watching.
And by the way the quality of the video is amazing. You have very good film and edit skills + you two are just so natural in front of the camera.
I LOVE IT!
Thank you! We’ve been trying to improve over the 2 years and have loved every minute
Thanks so much for a great video idea with great execution. So handy. So jealous of what you two get up to on your bikes. Truly an inspiration to us first timers
Thanks! Glad to hear the execution came out well. It definitely didn’t match what we imagined it would look like, but it was the best we could figure out how to do at the moment. We’re still learning a ton about video creation.
Thanks you two, informative vid. Happy travels!
A quick question you mention your hoodies that fit over your helmets. What helmets do you use?
Our helmets are nothing special, Hillary has a Specialized helmet that she has owned longer than we have been bikepacking, and Chris has used a variety of helmets because he has a bad habit of forgetting his at home and then renting or buying a new one.
As I have only done solo bike packing trips the thing I am most envious of is that you guys seem to mesh well together on your adventures. I respect and admire how well you have dialed in your gear and equipment for your own needs but are seemingly a tight knit team. Respect and blessings!
Thanks! We’re really grateful that we work well together too. Haha also: remember that we get to edit out any parts where we’re mad at each other if we want. (It’s rare, though.)
Amazing for your video of Our (All-Terrain) Bikepacking Gear List for 2024. I love your video and thanks for sharing.🥰
Glad it was helpful!
You guys. So nice and fun to watch. I´ve made some different choices regarding front/rear but other than that it all looks solid and well thought out. Nice to see some quality stuff that, despite pricing also lasts a lot longer, so in the end a better deal. And you´re just the sweetest ☀
Thank you so much! Yeah, Hillary’s front is a work in progress.
Thank you both for running through your gear. It is always good to learn from others' experiences.
I'm surprised by the additional weight of all your camera and drone equipment. I already struggle with too much weight, even though I don't carry videoing equipment. My bag setup is similar to yours. I guess however, I have to carry all the tent, sleeping, and cooking equipment myself because I travel solo. I've been tempted to get a little chair like yours so that I don't always have to sit on the ground. I like where you stow your chair on the front rack Hilary. I too have a Rohloff gear hub like Hilary's. Once you have ridden with one you never want to go back to derailleurs. I'm wondering what you do for lights? I carry a head torch, just a cheap one from the hardware store which takes AAA batteries. I have a small inflatable USB lantern which is very useful when I'm stuck inside the tent on rainy evenings. I have several very small USB red flashing lights for the back of my bike and the back of my camelback water bag. I also have a flashing white light on one of the dry bags on my front fork, in addition to the main front light. All my dry bags are bright yellow. I am trying to be as visible as possible.
I was surprised with what you decided to put into your frame bags. I prefer to load heavier items like tools and repair gear, into my frame bag, along with 3 litres of water. With a desire to keep the weight centralised and have as low centre-of-gravity as possible. I also pack my tent, sleeping and cooking gear into the dry bags on the front forks in an attempt to get 60% of the weight over the front wheel and 40% over the rear wheel. This just makes the bike handle better, especially on rough singletrack.
Enjoy your riding and keep the rubber side down. Thank you.
Thanks so much for sharing. Subscribed. Love this video. I hope to be able to do this someday. 😊❤ Always have fun on all your journeys.
Thank you! You should do it! Don’t wait until you have all your stuff perfect. We’re still tweaking things all the time.
Great video you two! Thanks for the tips.
I love the way you have your front pack canted forward with a water bottle behind. Have you herd of the pocket shower. Yep all you do is find a water source fill er up with 3-4 bottles of water hang it up somewhere discreet and you get a shower.
sweet set ups!!
Thanks!
i really like the guys bags in the center. I'm about to build an electric trike and ride from va beach to Montana. being able to see other peoples set up is very handy because it allows me to plan how to build the thing. from the seats to the bags this video has been extremely helpful.
That sounds like an awesome trip!!
Great video.thanks for all the info
A very informative presentation. And you two are just plain cute to listen to. Good travels.
Cool set ups guys, I'm just getting into bike packing.
Love that! See you on the trail someday!
thanks for sharing! its very useful for me!
We’re glad!
You are living my dream good luck
I use Merrell Trail Gloves as my cycling shoes too! Love them.
Fantastic 😊thanks guys
Solid gear video. Good pace. Not everyone can do that well.
Thanks.
The western rise pants are great!
you both are pure inspiration
Thank you for a great and helpful did! Loved the intro mentioning intentions and approach, yall rock
Good presentation. Lots of ways to solve the same problems. We all figure out what works for our needs. I'm a little more old school mainly because I'm old and have been using and modifying old equipment for the past 50 some years of kayak touring, backpacking, canoe touring and bike touring. I'm not a stuff it in pannier sort of guy. I keep everything in a color-coded stuff bags. Works for me. My triangle holds two stainless steel one liter thermal wide mouth bottles. I have started mounting four grab bags on the handlebars, two on the front of the bar and two facing the cockpit. I like small front panniers because I feel they are more versatile than dry bags on the fork. Depending on the days agenda and weather I can put extra water on each side or a quick grab for my rain jacket or wind jacket, or grocery stop storage for the day lunch or supper. On the top of the back rack, I carry a dry bag with all the camp sight set up items, tent and poles, my 45 year old Thermolite sleep pad, camp shoes. The dry bag when emptied becomes my door mat. Gave up on a sleeping bag a few years ago and went to the MSS, Modular Sleep System and only take the modules needed for the time of year. I always carry my 16 oz Blizard bag year around in a bright yellow dry bag to cover my body from the tip of my toes to the top of my head in alpaca and merino wool if caught in a storm. Which is also one of the modules in my MSS.
Hi, thanks a lot for sharing your setups, really fun and inspiring video. One quick question: what's the model of that tiny thermometer?
It is an AcuRite thermometer that we bought from Amazon. But, when it breaks we will probably replace it with a ThermoWorks zipper pull thermometer from Garage Grown Gear.
I'm glad your video popped up I have a Surly Bridge Club that is begging me to take it on a long (months) road trip I have a couple of bags for it but have been concentrating on the bike components slowly but surely thanks again for the information I'll be watching this again 😊
Put in a belt driven Rholoff Hubb and a Son Dynamo Hub...and Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyers....off you go !!!
I have Traveled 50k with mine...and they are still going strong !!!
Replace the oil in the hub every 10k....bobs your uncle !!!!
Great vid! How have the old man mtn panniers worked out?
I took them to Italy and then on a local trip on rougher roads over this last weekend. I’m a huge fan. I don’t use them for commuting because they take like 30 seconds each to take on and off, compared to one second each for ortlieb panniers. But for trips I will probably continue to use them because they’re just so stable.
Great video, I guess what suprized me is u guys don't use bike shorts(unless I missed that)..Trying to get back into biking now(after about a 20yr hiatis) gosh it's a slow process and thes old muskels just dont have much in them... thanks so much for sharing w us!
Thanks! Yeah, we’ve just never seen the need to bring extra clothes just for biking when regular clothes work just fine. Sometimes we think the biking industry tries to convince you you need to spend money on things that you really don’t need. (Also, our first trip was in Turkey and it would have been inconsiderate for Hillary to wear bike shorts in rural conservative areas, so we just got used to it.)
Flats for the win.
Great video!! About how heavy are your bikes?
We actually don’t know. About 29 lbs unloaded, but with Racks and gear, much heavier. :)
Love your bike! Actively looking for a bike I can take small tours on. Your channel is awesome. Can you tell me where to buy or the name of that handlebar tape with the multi-color brown diamond pattern? The bike I’m looking at would look great with that wrapped around the bars. Thank you for putting out great content! ❤
It’s from a company called Camp and Go Slow, which is honestly the best name.
What food do you prepare during your travel?
It depends on how long the trip and where we are. In the US, we eat your standard backpacking food, lots of dehydrated meals that we either make ourselves or purchase. In Turkey, we ate a lot of rice, lentils, veggies and bouillon for flavor. In Italy, we usually bought fresh pasta, canned sauce, and veggies from supermarkets. Breakfast is coffee and often yoghurt + muesli. Lunch varies. Plus a lot of fruit, nuts, and cookies as snacks.
these guys are absolutely dialed
Thanks!
Fun video. Subscribed and will def follow along. Looks like a disled-in kit for you both. What was that long versatile cloth called?
Thanks! It’s called a pareo.
Interesting
😱 What frame bag is that on your Fargo at 0:36 ? That's beautiful!
I think you’re thinking of my old Vaya - it was from Rogue panda and I loved it! Unfortunately that bike couldn’t accommodate the gearing I wanted.
Interesting is that Hillary has Rohloff with chain. Mine is with Gates belt.
Really well thought out organization.
Hi Hillary and Chris! Ive been watching your latest videos religiously in the lead up to my first big bikepacking/touring adventure, 6 months across europe with my partner. We are both from New Zealand and I have never left the country before so your videos have been incredibly helpful and inspiring. I was just wondering what is the extendable and detachable bike stand you have is? Im sorry if youve mentioned this somehwere and I missed it. Anyways, happy biking!
If you mean the little black telescoping ones, they are called Click-stands. They’re made by a guy in Washington state and he custom makes the length based on your bike.
We’re excited for your adventure! And very jealous!!
@slow_spokes That's the one. What a good idea, I'll have to look into them. Thank you for replying! 🌿 looking forward to the next video 😁
Curious for an update on how those pedals are working out?
Oh, I like them! I haven’t really noticed them being heavy or anything, and I do think I notice being less fatigued. Might be placebo effect, but I’m keeping them.
Hey! Could you tell a bit about how you carry the ulock? That looks like a nice setup there around 11mins.
Our ulock just happens to fit perfectly between the seat stays and the rear rack. A voile strap around the rack struts keeps it there and out of the way.
@@slow_spokes thanks! :)
What handlebars are you using on the fargo?
They’re called Denham bars!
Great video. How does the Arundel Looney Bin bottle cage performance with a loaded bottle on rough terrain? Can it hold a standard cycling water bottle too? Thanks. Keep riding.
It performs great, no complaints. And I’ve never tried with a standard water bottle, but I think it would work!
What tires are you running? Tubeless?
Pirelli cinturato and ultradynamico. And yes at the moment. Though Hillary is not convinced that they’re better than tubes as her rear tire doesn’t seem to want to hold air despite all efforts to fix it, the repair kit is heavier, and sealant isn’t available everywhere.
Estou criando coragem para começa minha aventura na bike.
Vale a pena!
I'm really fond of the Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho 3 -1 poncho - blanket - and when stuffed, a worldclass pillow.
Nice!
if your going to go ANYWHERE, you need a bear vault or other hard bear resistant container, many national parks in the US wont allow you in unless you carry one ore rent a camp sote with a storage container
You make a good point! You should always know the rules and regulations for the areas you are traveling in. The strict camping restrictions in place at National Parks is one of the reasons we tend to avoid NPS land.
I would like to add... if an extreme budget constraint exists... learning how to hang a bear-bag could be an option ❤
Oh!haha❤ I'm now @21:24 into video, and he totally mentions a bear-hang!😂🤌🔥
Nice.
Cayenne pepper in all your food also does this. Yes I mean ALL your food.
Fyi footnpksition over pedals should be the ball of the foot directly over the axle spindle. Then, plumb line through the knee to the pedal's axle (cranks horizontal). Adjust your saddles fore-aftnposition for that. Once that is set, Adjust bike frame size and/or stem length and Handlebar reach so that you feel comfortable, within ideals of course. Your weight distribution should be 60% on the back wheel and 40% on the front. Between 60-40 up to 55-45 unloaded.
(hey if your hardware isn't working, get a bike fit before choosing the frame size. If it's too long, shorter stem and bars reach isn't ideal because too much weight over the back wheel makes for a more squirrely ride when you take hands off the bars.)
Agreed, I used to ride with heavily loaded panniers in the rear. My bike handled terribly. The steering was too light and squirrelled all over the place, lacking stability. The back end used to slide out on loose corners. Climbing hills was ultra-tough. Your advice about peddles and knee alignment is also very important. On long tours, avoiding knee, hip and ankle injuries is paramount. Thanks for your contribution.
What bike stand is Chris using?
We both use Click-Stands: www.click-stand.com/
The pedals are good i got them 5 years ago just a bit hard to get used to with rembering to reposition you feet
Hi, what bicycle do you suggest for long distances and uphill rides? Hybrid or MTB with robust tyers??? Thanks...
Hi! It's hard for us to suggest specific bikes because we've only tried a few! But full suspension MTBs are heavy so not great for uphill. Many people like hardtails. Ours are called "all-terrain bikes", so they're meant to go everywhere. They are fully rigid bikes with comfortable geometry.
Keep making bikepacking video and keep share...for beginer like me
Glad you’re enjoying the videos! Hope you get out there soon.
Sea to Summit sells a detachable sling for their dry bags so you can make your dry bag backpack-like.
How does the 13L dry bag feel on the rack? I have the same setup with an 8L, but I'm considering upgrading for a longer trip.
It’s never bothered me, but on our last trip I tried using a handlebar bag that could hold more of my gear so I could put my sleeping stuff in a pannier and get it off the rack. I liked it… it’s so hard to find the perfect set up though!
Looking good :)
Thanks! Thanks for the goodies!
Thank you, nice vid,
what about your laptops ? where do you keep it usually? also how much weight does the bike hold , does it makes it hard?
Hi, we actually don't carry laptops with us on our trips. If we did, we would probably put them in a pannier, since they are waterproof. We're not quite sure how much weight the bike holds as they are hard to weigh, but it sure does make it hard!
Fantastic and informative. I love y’all’s approach. What brand is Chris’s shirt? I have tried some merino wool shirts, and they all hang off of me like a poorly hung rainfly (I’m on the lanky side). Thanks! And happy travels.
It’s smartwool :)
no solar panel?
Just power banks. Do you use a solar panel?
Interesting to know your stance on bib shorts? I used to not like the idea of them but can’t deny that they’re easy to move in, provide some comfort and for me at least hide my crease! How do you manage this in regular shorts?
I don’t know what you mean by hide your crease? I dunno, it would just be another thing to spent money on and pack. The pants and shorts we wear aren’t uncomfortable, and they look like normal clothes so we don’t stand out. Plus peeing is easier without bibs. Also, they would have been inappropriate for Hillary to wear in rural eastern Turkey. We just haven’t ever seen the need for them, and sometimes think the idea that we need specialized clothes for bike travel just encourages unnecessary consumption. But if they work for you, great!
@@slow_spokes crease, crack, butt crack ;) I think it probably isn’t such an issue for slimmer people than me. I get your point about consumption but I really struggle to ride in regular shorts
I think if they work for you, great!
Chris are those Ortlieb Gravel pack panniers? Have you had any broken issues with the plastic clips?
Yes, they are Ortlieb Gravel panniers. I haven’t had any issues with broken clips, but Hillary did break the clips on her Ortlieb panniers in Türkiye. Now we make sure we always have a few spare gear ties in our repair kits.
Ortlied are the best.....try them !!!!
I see you have the Ponderosa Panniers by OMM. You have the identical setup as I, with the Divide rack as well. Either I'm doing something wrong, or the attachment of the OMM panniers is a total pain in the A**. Very secure when attached, but if you're looking for a quick into the store detachable pannier... this might not be the one. What do you think?
It's not super easy to take off, so they aren't my commuting panniers. I'm using them for bikepacking trips where they usually stay on the bike all the time. I do take them off a couple times a week when on the road, and it's definitely gotten easier with practice. I am still using them for traveling because I like how stable and light they are, but yeah for commuting where I take bags on and off the bike a couple times a day, I use Ortliebs.
Wow very good presentation nice bike check. Good bless❤❤❤
Thanks for sharing guys. What bottle cage do you use to carry the big long water bottle in the frame (I guess a 1,5 liter nalgene)? Edit: never mind, found it on your gear list! Unforunately not available in NL
Great information!
Hi, where can I find those little Problem Solvers strap mounts ? I couldn't find those on Amazon, JayJay in Oregon
They're called "Problem Solvers Bow Tie Strap Anchor Kit" - for the record, though, I don't like them and can't recommend them. They're not stable enough, the bags don't stay on very well.
Hey Chris! How do you like your Brooks saddle on drop bar bike? I cannot decide between B17 regular Imperial(Carved) and B17 Imperial(Carved) Narrow...
It has worked well for me. I am able to spend long days in the saddle without bothering with padded shorts (after breaking it in of course). The only change I’ve made is to switch from the regular B17 to the imperial, which I’ve been happier with. My bike does have a slightly more upright geometry than a lot of drop bar bikes though, and I really only spend time in the drops on long descents or while ridding into strong headwinds.
@slow_spokes Thank you. My gravel is also bit more upright than usual. I installed B17 Imperial, with standard width. It suits me right away! Rode 30kms with it, I never had such comfortable saddle. I can't imagine how comfortable it will be after breaking in :) Thank you for your recommendation, it helped me a lot!
can you write down the handle bar type on Hillary bike?
They are called Denham bars
@@slow_spokes thank youu
16:24 if the rule is "always be charging" why dont either of you have a dynamo front hub?
It's next on the list, though we keep learning more and wondering if battery packs are the way to go...
Velo foyag
Mosquito head net. Tiny, fits over a helmet, great for camp
What do you wear for under layer riding shorts?
We both just wear normal underwear.
Did you notice that they both ride on Brooks Saddles? For over 40 years I have always ridden with undershorts that include a padded chamois, together with chamois cream. Then, I switched to Brooks Saddles on all my bikes. After a time I noticed that when I rode to the shop for some groceries or rode shorter distances I didn't need to change into my bike nics. Now, I take some bike nics away with me to use on longer-distance days. But, you know, I don't really need the extra protection. As long as I am very strict about my body hygiene when I get very sweaty, and after I go to the toilet. I've learned to take baby wipes away with me to clean up. So, now I ride mostly in my normal underwear.
I generally carry more bike repair stuff to fix broken things that will end riding and sometimes pushing. e.g. spare spokes, there are also spectra fiber temporary "spokes" because i've been in situations where a wheel no longer rolled in the frame after 3-4 adjacent spokes broke. With all that camera gear, i'm surprised one of you doesn't have a dynamo hub on the front.
...and if those pedals don't work out, it might be worthwhile to get a proper bike fit and/or maybe a custom frame
Good points! Somehow we forgot to mention that Chris has a fiber spoke in his seat bag as well as several spare spokes attached to the frame.
Dynamos are definitely on the wish list for a longer tour, but for now a couple of battery packs have been more than sufficient. Our understanding is that most dynamos are only powerful enough to keep a light and maybe a phone or gps charged.
And, Hillary has worked with a bike fitter along the journey to a bike that fits. So far the Fargo has been great!
Why is mostly colored black? My panniers are yellow, and my jacket is red, helmet is orange. Doesn't it make sense to wear coloured stuff? Apart of my thought, thanks for the video!
Sometimes the gear we want is only available in black or grey. Also, when we're stealth camping it's nice to have neutral colors.
Why your bike does not fall?
Klikstand! They’re made by a guy in Washington state.
Which chairs do you use.
REI flexlite air chair: alnk.to/g3bjdLl
Love this Chanel and where are you guys bicycling now....?
We’re in the alps right now. And thank you!
for me i bring first aid kit and unfortunately i used it a week ago when i crash my bike
Oof! Hope you’re okay!
@@slow_spokes thanks :) luckily i didnt get any broken bone and now recovering, planning to for ride after this
Very interesting stuff. Thanks.
Great list and set up. What is the type/brand of light mount for the front fork I saw?
It’s made by old man mountain. I like it so far!
It's crazy how much weight you pedal, it's also crazy you can trip long with bicycles, I get tired even driving a car. I drive bicycle but only on weekends, just to have a rest and do little travel around the place I live.
Do you wear padded shorts?
We don’t! I tried once but it felt unnecessary. Do you? -H
@@slow_spokes I do bc I’m new to the activity and thought I should 😂 maybe I’ll try without to test it.
I think it might depend on your saddle too. Leather saddles, when they fit right, usually mean you can avoid the chamois.
I got so sick of packing & unpacking all my belongings. Now i just tour camp in topical locations & have reduced everything by 70% (honest guess). Riding a loaded fully touring bike is not much fun too
Great video, just out off curiosity how big are your panniers
Apologies we can’t remember right now, but it’s in the description!
Love the mindless consumerism disclaimer
Thanks :)
How do you editing your videos while touring
Right now we’re editing at home
@@slow_spokes for long tours think it would be great to firgue out how edit on tour
You’re right. We’ve been brainstorming, but (un)fortunately we haven’t needed to risk a computer on the road with us yet.
@@slow_spokes use iPad mini6 with lumafusion it can edit in 4 k
Curious if anyone brings a handgun for protection?
Not us
Handguns are problematic on so many levels. It’s best to leave them at home and rely on non-lethal defenses like pepper spray/bear spray. I just completed a tour of the US on the Northern Tier, and I can honestly say that I never felt like I was in danger.
Hi Hillary, I just saw your video and am REALLY interested in these ear-savers!!! But I can't find them in the instructions.
Is there a link or product name that you can give me?. Cheers,. Frank
Oh! Thank you for pointing that out! Here’s the link: amzn.to/4cTMo1Z
Those are the slim version. They have a thicker version that does a better job but I’m vain. :)
Of course the one link I mention in the video I forgot to put in the description. 🤦🏽♀️
@@slow_spokes Thank you! Happy traveling! Can't wait to see your videos!
Do you find that the wool bra dries faster than a cotton bra? One of my biggest complaints is that my bra will stay wet with sweat way longer than the rest of my clothes.
I do think it dries faster than cotton, but it dries slower than my shirt. Also, wool isn’t as uncomfortable when wet as cotton in my opinion.
Please review you guys gesr
You guys are loaded for bear. Seems heavy. Thoughtful packing and yeah to luxury- pillow 😊
paneer is a type of Indian cheese. PANN-yays is a french name for side luggage.
You’re an Indian name for cheese
@@slow_spokes rekt
Hey!
🤍