Love bikepacking, have done a week riding around Gran Canaria on rented MTB's (was scary riding on cliff edges with opposite brake levers haha), did coast to coast on road and I rode my mountain bike from my house in Nottingham to the welsh coast near Aberystwyth via the trans Cambrian way. Had plans for lots more bikepacking this year in some more exotic locations but they have been put on hold due to the current global situation, cant wait to get out and do some more!
“if you only own one bike, that’s going to be the best bike to go bike-packing” - and that's why you chaps are so awesome. No pretentious rubbish, just get out, make it happen and have fun. Love it.
Late to the party I know...but I chuckled when you mention the Iceland trip by Neil and Si. I live here in Iceland and do my bike touring locally because why wouldn't I living in Iceland! On my 4th trip I had a mechanical in a remote area in Iceland, much more remote than their trip was. Blew my tire so bad it was probably beyond my skill to do a field repair. Was fleeing from an approaching storm when it happened. Storm caught up. I saw my choices were: First option: Layer up, abandon a good portion of my kit and bike and hike about 2 and a half day towards civilization. Not a good idea. Second option Try my best to repair the tire, keep on riding, get caught in the storm and risk hypothermia, which at that time was starting to set in, in august. Third option: Utilize the kit I have and thank god for me being a demanding prick with some money to burn due to being single and childless. Hunker down, put my Hilleberg tent up, which is relatively storm proof being a 4 season tent, cook a nice meal inside my tent, get warm, check on the tire as best I can and see if it is really rideable, which it wasnt after calmly looking at it inside the tent. Realize I have food rations for about 3 and a half days with me not riding and needing it as extra fuel to ride. Get a good nights sleep, in the storm. Wait it out, storm passes about 30 hours later. I get out, pack up everything in a way that it can be carried or pushed. Hike along the road, hoping for a car or cell service. Car comes along after about 5 hours of hiking. Wave it down, get picked up and get a ride home. Moral of the story: Get proper kit for where you will be riding and keep your wits about you, it will save your life!
Ultralight Backpackers and through hikers have thankfully done a lot of the work for us here when it comes to gear setups, other than bike spares there is a huge amount of overlap, I would check out a few of their videos ( Darwin, homemade wanderlust etc for tips on packing light). However many of my mtb mates are of the opinion that the 2 things they like most after a day on the bike is a shower and not sleeping in a tent! So I may be bike packing alone! Barry Godin’s series BG tips is a must watch too!
i'm old now, new to biking, but done a lot of backpacking. So naturally I look at every gram obsessively. I have a sleeping bag that weight half a pound. Only comes up to your waist and squashes up to fist size.
through hiker info was a massive help, one thing that stands out and sounds so simple.....like I should of thought of it myself but didn’t and it was surprisingly not that easy to find. A small light tent you can set up while it’s raining... goes up with rain fly installed NOT a net box you cover afterwords.
@@MrRay645 hi , I would love to know which tent you have gone for. I have a flame creed 1p that is crazy light at 700g but requires a walking pole or a separate pole of 125cm which does fulfil the rain erecting criteria. It’s single skin though and subject to condensation if there is not a good breeze. I also have a decathlon 900 p1 tent which is 1.2 kg but suffers from the inner up first problem. Both are cheap but I expect I will swap them out for a more expensive one I. The future.
There's a saying in the British Army, that every squaddie will know, the 7 p's. Prior, preparation and planning, prevents, p*ss poor performance. This is a motto we should all accept. 👍👍👍
There is a UK company called Alpkit. They have a range of well designed waterproof packs for bike packing and a lot other light weight equipment. I have used them for several years now. Also I have a BOB Ibex trailer for those longer journeys. I also use it when I do my food shopping. None of my kit has ever let me down.
Yeah, good point. I've put together a tiny edc one, plus a bugout bag one which I'd take on a bike packing trip if I ever get to do that (I want to but am old and unfit). My bugout one weighs 300g including waterproof roll top case.
@@alfred1925 what about an ebike? Last time I went riding, a guy came up to me talking about the new ebike he just bought - and how he was about to turn 78...
Got a new trekkingbike and want to start bikepacking. I do alot of hiking and multiday trekking in the past, so i am not that unexperianced about being outdoors. Whats new for me is to have a bike with me :)
You guys should do a £300 pound bike bikepacking special. You have to buy everything, tent, sleeping bag, bike etc. Film the escapades and the mega fails and wins. Top Gear style.
I've been heavily planning on heading out there and I've picked a route that is a day trip. I'm riding on a surly crosscheck that I've decked out and I can't wait to hit it. But your video helped a ton and although you'd think it would be common sense, I left some things out that you brought my attention to. So thank you. Wonderful to watch and listen to as I cook up supper.
After 20+ years of living out of a backpack. I can tell you, I got my best advice from through hikers. Like removing the core to your t.p., or wrap a bunch of duct tape around your seat post for later use & to stop seat slip, and etc.
@@gmbn It's the annual Tour Aotearoa, THE self supported ultra distance race taking you from the very top to the very bottom of NZ. It would be madness if GMBN would send someone to cover not just CrankWorx from Rotavegas but also smash out the Tour too.
"30 years ago going Cycle touring as it was was like taking the Kitchen sink as we didn't have the light weight compact kit of today. So you went off loaded up like a cart horse even for a few nights out. Wouldn't mind trying it again but the outlay for new kit and a arthritic body are stopping me. Love the idea of it. Sadly wild camping has shown me that I can no longer sleep on the ground with a sleeping mat.
Thank you for this video Blake! Bike packing is definitely an experience to be had! May I also recommend fuel. This is very important in multi day cycling. Replacing those burnt calories and hydrating with electrolytes. I have bike packed from Toronto, Ontario Canada to California, USA.
Just back from 2 weeks, two things I want to mention. If you change tires/chain/... just make sure to have a test ride before the big vacation just to ensure that you don't have a faulty product. Happens rarely but you don't want to get stuck. Even with everything digital nowadays, I prefer to have the main route printed on paper as well, a few sheets won't hurt just in case. As for food, dehydrated things, rice and spices works wonders. Rice you can buy nearly everywhere and the rest you can take with you. Cooked ~5 times this vacation and I am still amazed how good it tastes (but hunger is the best cook, after 9+ hours of riding)
A great tip on testing your gear before the big ride. Last winter myself and a few mates went off to tackle what is rated as the No1 back country day ride in NZ. After only 200m my mates brand new chain broke and looking at it, it had cracked multiple links. That really ruined his day
I'd say, get a map of the areas if possible with enough detail, it might pay off in an emergency. Also if you are using GPS make sure you mark where you camped on the map. Then if you do lose battery power or it just stops working, at least you have a starting point to work out your current position.
I'm going to go across Canada, solo, as my first bikepacking trip in a month. It's an album tour as well, so I'm really finding it hard to find the balance between having enough things to keep my performance to where it should be as well as keeping me warm and safe during shoulder season and into the scorching summer months. good thing I'm coming by my house a month in so I can offload my bulky -18 sleeping bag by then!
One of the best bikepacking additions for me was to Woho saddle bad stabiliser. Bolts onto the saddle and stops the rear bag swinging about which was driving me nuts. Also has 2 bottle mounts on it that are great if you fit a frame bag and lose the space to put a water bottle on.
Pro tip for anyone wanting to try out bikepacking, a great way to stow your sleeping bag is by attaching it to your handlebars using webbing straps so it acts like Blake's front loader bag but without having to buy an expensive bike bag. If you thread the webbing straps through the compression straps on your sleeping bag it will be very secure. You can also attach other things by rolling them up and strapping them in, i carried a blow up pillow and my waterproof along with my sleeping bag this way when i first went bikepacking. Lots of people will already have some webbing straps in the house that can do this, i used 2 belts from climbing chalk bags, but the straps are very cheap to buy and useful if you don't have any already. I'm sure the same principal could also be applied to carrying lots of other things on the bars, part of the fun with bikepacking is to get imaginative with how you store stuff, i once had a can of Heinz beans strapped to my frame in a sock so it didn't scratch it :D
Thank god. Nothing worse at the end of the long day than a scratched can of beans ;-) Seriously, though--good advice re creative use of webbing straps.
In the boat cruising world we have what is called a shake down cruise. You go to a harbor or anchorage half a day or less from home for a few days and see if everything works. Saves all kinds of miseries. Same thing applies to bike packing. Ride to the local park, or your buddy's house, that's 10 miles away and camp for a couple nights. You'll learn a lot without risking a lot.
Planning my first outing in a couple of days time. Curious how my big enduro will behave but so looking forward to it. Have not camped in aaaaages and really can’t wait.
Good vid. I've done a lot of back packing, but not on a bike. I'd like to give it a go but I'm old now, and need to get fitter first. Anyway I've got most of the gear including the same seat bag you have. It seems good. I did notice that you get a small gap at the bottom between the inner and outer, which you could cram something into. The inner is great because it has an air release valve which helps it cram down into a rock solid tube that won't droop. But as you say, put the heaviest stuff at the bottom. They come in 3 sizes, I think the middle one is good at 10 litres. For an ultra light sleeping bag you can get one that only comes up to your waist, and a warm jacket. These are the bags made for mountain marathon runners, and weigh 230g (half a pound). My cheapo Geertop tent weighs 0.95 kg plus pole, which can be a trekking pole or a 6 moon 125cm pole that weighs 50 or 80g depending on aluminium or carbon. I have a tiny gas stove (SOTO WindMaster 4-Flex) that fits inside a 700ml titanium mug which acts as a cooking pot, plus a small canister and plastic stand. Plus plastic spork. A tiny head torch (Petzl E+Lite Headtorch ) that works off the little round CR 2032 batteries, weighs only a few grams and the batteries can be stored for 10 years. Generally, every gram counts, and volume too. I expect to need to use a small back pack and frame bag too. The frame bag would just be for inner tube, bike tools and pump.
Went to bike adventure thinking i can make it a 125km w/ 5000m total climb in the wilderness in 1 day so i didnt bring w/ me any lights so when worst scenario happened i needed to look for a B&B to spend the night...luckyly found a small village 😅 Lesson learned, always bring emergency lights ☺
Great tips Blake Kings Alfreds Way has just been announced and it goes past my house 220 miles loop that's now on my bike packing list ,will probably be my 1st bike packing trip 😁
Every chain I have ever bought and fitted, I have shortened. I take the short piece of chain with me, along with a quick link in a plastic bag. With a chain splitter, some patience and a brew, you can repair any chain situation. I roll a length of super tape and electrical tape around my seat tube. Always there when you need it. Enjoy! 😉
been a couple of times only 10 miles away to test out my gear. upgraded to a two man tent cause its miserable being stuck in a tiny one man tent when its raining all day
Tomorrow i heading to the Czech Republic to the #bohemianborderbash and the plan is to cycle back from there to the baltic sea where i life. I am carrying 2 spare tubes, short peace of a chain with 2 quink links, patches, spare hanger for the rear mech and a pair of shift cables, i wrapped a good amount of electrical tape around my pump, multi tool with chainbreaker.
Spot on buddy, I pack the same also and you can fix most mechanicals for a " get you home" type fix. I carry a piece of plastic milk carton too, you can use this as a tyre boot if you get a split tyre and need to fit the tube. As Blake said a few zip ties can be handy. Good luck with your trip, sounds great . :-)
@@julianhawker7672 Thanks, the idea with the plastic milk carton is good. I will make my own, from a piece of plastic from the package of my tires and carry it with me👍
Great video! Thanks Blake💯 Being outdoors in nature with God's gorgeous creatures in peace and quiet is more appealing to me than city life sometimes. This video is full of great tips! and I like Blake's "any bike is the best bike". 💯👍
Another tip: always put everything inside of your tent. Also if the weather predictions say that it isn't going to rain. It was awful cycling in wet shoes
I will be doing my first bike pack on 10/11 October. I have a 63 mile route planned over 2days. I am also doing it for our local hospital to raise money for the elderly care department so we can buy them Xmas presents 😃 I did a 30 mile ride last night to prepare. I have a few more planned before. Buy as you say the weather is going to play a major factor. Also I was planning to just get a 12l dry bag and strap it to my bike rather than a fancy one which basically just does the same?
I pretty much just use a tarp much easier that way But I do have one Texas sports Phoenix 2P 1.7 pounds not super light not super heavy but man does it hold back the rain with its separate fly
Generally best to go with a buddy- it's safer, you can split the load of stuff, and its just plain more fun in my opinion! Solo is of course fine, you just gave to be more careful and be a bit better prepared.
Solo is ok if you have camping experience, but if it is your first time It is much better with someone else. After a couple overnighters you will be confident enough to go by yourself
I've never gone bikepacking before, but the only bike I own is a xs pivot Mach 5.5 (hence why I only afford one bike) and I feel I would have a very difficult time loading it down with luggage.
Great info. I'm Really wanting to take September to do my first big bikepack up California's Pacific Coast Highway. So far I'm underprepared, which I'm not too concerned about, but what I am overly concerned about is... BEARS!
I have bike packed from Hanoi to HCMC 4 times (1750km each time). I like to ride on single speed 26" BMX bikes. Packing super light is essential. Riding clothes and a set of casual clothes, some tools and a spare tube is all I take in my seatpost bag. My handlebar bag has phone and accessories. Clipons are not a good idea for touring.
A few things I would personally add to the list as essentials to bring along, are: - First aid kit, and for those not medically trained, do consider first aid training. Especially if you venture more of the beaten path. After all, if you happen to make a nasty fall, emergency services may not be able to reach you fast. - Include a space blanket (emergency blanket). Extremely light weight, but reduces body heat loss. These few grams can make a massive difference in emergency setting. - Do consider an emergency beacon. Yes, they come at cost and require a subscription. But it is far better than dying alone in the woods out of GPS reach, if you find yourself stranded with e.g. a broken leg, unable to walk, 50 km away from any sign of human life. And in this all, consider safety first. Unfamiliar terrain, unfamiliar turns. Don't race, just go that tad bit slower to prevent any potential accidents. And as much as possible, avoid roads with motorized traffic between offroad segments, if you are riding abroad. Nothing so dangerous as the unpredictability of motorized vehicles abroad. No matter where you come from, they will behave different. What works at home, can get you killed within seconds abroad. Especially for those used to cycling in bike friendly countries.
it is easier for guys to ride light, as for a female I need big fat sleeping bag even in the summer as well as thick sleeping pad which makes it bulky in any way. 1 kg (2lbs) tent, 2kg (4.4lbs) - Carinthia 4 defense sleeping bag. 1kg(2lbs) -overmont 4.7 inch sleeping pad. 1 lbs - sleeping bag liner -liftume adds up 27F
ok, put new brake pads on beforehand, put lots of sealant in and hope for the best ( you wont be able to reinflate a slashed side wall with co2 or a hand pump, ie, bring a spare tube and boot), you dont need quick links ( you have to use your chainbreak anyway to remove the broken link, so what if your a link smaller). all you need= small bike tool with chainbreak, plugs, spare tube, patches, boot, tire leavers , zip ties and duct tape, thats it!
I travel so much for mtb trips and, all I ever see is land. Endless miles of nature. Then little pockets of towns or cities. I know there isn't any scarcity or overpopulation of people. There are no lies in Nature 💯
+1 to not having a backpack on a long ride, especially not a heavy one. If you are going on a long ride, take wet wipes or something to clean your face, chest, shoulders, etc.
Said displayed setup doesn't even carry enough for a reasonably comfortable trip for 3 days. I will carry actual food and things to make the trip less masochistic so, extra racks and bags within reason will happen and all the minimalists will be freezing and starving whilst I enjoy a few comforts while on walkabout (music, real food, a book, journal/pen, camera, camp shoes, etc.). Trying to go ultra minimalist unless it's an overnighter is lame and one runs the risk of being the designated arse and one being fed or watered by the one who was better provisioned (this coming from a friend who is an experienced bikepacker who also rocks a Surly Big Dummy for a bikepacking rig and has a two-burner stove for gourmet in the boonies...)
Maybe too obvious to mention, but food wise, dehydrated meals you pour hot water into the bag and wait 10 minutes, used by back packers for years. Go for the maximum calories per gram.
@@jackwakeham7160 Many years of experience wild camping and bikepacking. Never owned the Bikamper because I can see it's bad from demonstrations. It won't hold up in bad weather, it renders your bike useless while it's up, it's not lighter, easier to erect or much easier to pack than a decent lightweight tent. Packing poles is not a problem, just strap them to your bike anywhere. Then you can ride to the pub at the end of the day. Check out more reviews, it's a gimmick. I recommend Alpkit Ordos 2 in the same price range, far superior quality.
What if my bike is aTrek Slash? Has anyone tried to do bickepacking on an enduro bike? It is lighter than most ebduro bikes, but still not that light. I put on some heavy tires which increased the weight. It is over 15 kg now.
Have you ever been Bike Packing? Where?
Actually i don't even consider to go bikepacking maybe I'll try
@@zwitch7635 me too, i'll do solo bike packing because my friend's didn't like long ride..
to my friends house across the street
Love bikepacking, have done a week riding around Gran Canaria on rented MTB's (was scary riding on cliff edges with opposite brake levers haha), did coast to coast on road and I rode my mountain bike from my house in Nottingham to the welsh coast near Aberystwyth via the trans Cambrian way. Had plans for lots more bikepacking this year in some more exotic locations but they have been put on hold due to the current global situation, cant wait to get out and do some more!
Thx bro
“if you only own one bike, that’s going to be the best bike to go bike-packing” - and that's why you chaps are so awesome. No pretentious rubbish, just get out, make it happen and have fun. Love it.
Late to the party I know...but I chuckled when you mention the Iceland trip by Neil and Si. I live here in Iceland and do my bike touring locally because why wouldn't I living in Iceland!
On my 4th trip I had a mechanical in a remote area in Iceland, much more remote than their trip was. Blew my tire so bad it was probably beyond my skill to do a field repair. Was fleeing from an approaching storm when it happened. Storm caught up. I saw my choices were: First option: Layer up, abandon a good portion of my kit and bike and hike about 2 and a half day towards civilization. Not a good idea. Second option Try my best to repair the tire, keep on riding, get caught in the storm and risk hypothermia, which at that time was starting to set in, in august. Third option: Utilize the kit I have and thank god for me being a demanding prick with some money to burn due to being single and childless. Hunker down, put my Hilleberg tent up, which is relatively storm proof being a 4 season tent, cook a nice meal inside my tent, get warm, check on the tire as best I can and see if it is really rideable, which it wasnt after calmly looking at it inside the tent. Realize I have food rations for about 3 and a half days with me not riding and needing it as extra fuel to ride. Get a good nights sleep, in the storm. Wait it out, storm passes about 30 hours later. I get out, pack up everything in a way that it can be carried or pushed. Hike along the road, hoping for a car or cell service. Car comes along after about 5 hours of hiking. Wave it down, get picked up and get a ride home.
Moral of the story: Get proper kit for where you will be riding and keep your wits about you, it will save your life!
Ultralight Backpackers and through hikers have thankfully done a lot of the work for us here when it comes to gear setups, other than bike spares there is a huge amount of overlap, I would check out a few of their videos ( Darwin, homemade wanderlust etc for tips on packing light). However many of my mtb mates are of the opinion that the 2 things they like most after a day on the bike is a shower and not sleeping in a tent! So I may be bike packing alone!
Barry Godin’s series BG tips is a must watch too!
Darwin has done a lot of bike packing matter of fact I think he was getting ready to do another one shortly
i'm old now, new to biking, but done a lot of backpacking. So naturally I look at every gram obsessively. I have a sleeping bag that weight half a pound. Only comes up to your waist and squashes up to fist size.
darwins a kook don't listen to that dude
through hiker info was a massive help, one thing that stands out and sounds so simple.....like I should of thought of it myself but didn’t and it was surprisingly not that easy to find. A small light tent you can set up while it’s raining... goes up with rain fly installed NOT a net box you cover afterwords.
@@MrRay645 hi , I would love to know which tent you have gone for. I have a flame creed 1p that is crazy light at 700g but requires a walking pole or a separate pole of 125cm which does fulfil the rain erecting criteria. It’s single skin though and subject to condensation if there is not a good breeze. I also have a decathlon 900 p1 tent which is 1.2 kg but suffers from the inner up first problem. Both are cheap but I expect I will swap them out for a more expensive one I. The future.
There's a saying in the British Army, that every squaddie will know, the 7 p's.
Prior, preparation and planning, prevents, p*ss poor performance.
This is a motto we should all accept. 👍👍👍
bath bike and training
There is a UK company called Alpkit. They have a range of well designed waterproof packs for bike packing and a lot other light weight equipment. I have used them for several years now. Also I have a BOB Ibex trailer for those longer journeys. I also use it when I do my food shopping. None of my kit has ever let me down.
How does it compare to topeak price wise?
@@julianw5692 Depends where you are but they seem to be in a similar range. However Alpkit do also do custom made products too.
You forgot a very important one!
First aid...
Exactly, very important!!!
That might be a small segment for part two
Yeah, good point. I've put together a tiny edc one, plus a bugout bag one which I'd take on a bike packing trip if I ever get to do that (I want to but am old and unfit). My bugout one weighs 300g including waterproof roll top case.
@@alfred1925 what about an ebike? Last time I went riding, a guy came up to me talking about the new ebike he just bought - and how he was about to turn 78...
Got a new trekkingbike and want to start bikepacking. I do alot of hiking and multiday trekking in the past, so i am not that unexperianced about being outdoors. Whats new for me is to have a bike with me :)
i'll be doing my first bikepacking in a couple of weeks. Doing planning and stamina training to run things smoothy
You guys should do a £300 pound bike bikepacking special. You have to buy everything, tent, sleeping bag, bike etc. Film the escapades and the mega fails and wins. Top Gear style.
Who else really wants a bike check of Blake’s nukeproof reactor? Like so it can happen!
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
@@tomtituswinter Stop promoting your self. That has nothing to do with Blake's Nukeproof Reactor.
me
I've been heavily planning on heading out there and I've picked a route that is a day trip. I'm riding on a surly crosscheck that I've decked out and I can't wait to hit it. But your video helped a ton and although you'd think it would be common sense, I left some things out that you brought my attention to. So thank you. Wonderful to watch and listen to as I cook up supper.
After 20+ years of living out of a backpack. I can tell you, I got my best advice from through hikers. Like removing the core to your t.p., or wrap a bunch of duct tape around your seat post for later use & to stop seat slip, and etc.
Awesome, can’t wait til my first trip at the end of this month 😁😁😁
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
I’m bikepacking all of NZ in January 3000km ride
Amazing! That will be an amazing trip!
😳
@@gmbn It's the annual Tour Aotearoa, THE self supported ultra distance race taking you from the very top to the very bottom of NZ. It would be madness if GMBN would send someone to cover not just CrankWorx from Rotavegas but also smash out the Tour too.
Good luck man and enjoy.
"30 years ago going Cycle touring as it was was like taking the Kitchen sink as we didn't have the light weight compact kit of today. So you went off loaded up like a cart horse even for a few nights out. Wouldn't mind trying it again but the outlay for new kit and a arthritic body are stopping me. Love the idea of it. Sadly wild camping has shown me that I can no longer sleep on the ground with a sleeping mat.
Thank you for this video Blake! Bike packing is definitely an experience to be had! May I also recommend fuel. This is very important in multi day cycling. Replacing those burnt calories and hydrating with electrolytes. I have bike packed from Toronto, Ontario Canada to California, USA.
Planning on doing my first multi-day trip this summer. Watching videos like this is getting me excited!
Me too!
How did it go???
@@NubiaPina I ended up not being able to do it because of covid restrictions. Hopefully next summer I can do it.
Just back from 2 weeks, two things I want to mention. If you change tires/chain/... just make sure to have a test ride before the big vacation just to ensure that you don't have a faulty product. Happens rarely but you don't want to get stuck.
Even with everything digital nowadays, I prefer to have the main route printed on paper as well, a few sheets won't hurt just in case.
As for food, dehydrated things, rice and spices works wonders. Rice you can buy nearly everywhere and the rest you can take with you. Cooked ~5 times this vacation and I am still amazed how good it tastes (but hunger is the best cook, after 9+ hours of riding)
A great tip on testing your gear before the big ride.
Last winter myself and a few mates went off to tackle what is rated as the No1 back country day ride in NZ.
After only 200m my mates brand new chain broke and looking at it, it had cracked multiple links.
That really ruined his day
I'd say, get a map of the areas if possible with enough detail, it might pay off in an emergency. Also if you are using GPS make sure you mark where you camped on the map. Then if you do lose battery power or it just stops working, at least you have a starting point to work out your current position.
I'm going to go across Canada, solo, as my first bikepacking trip in a month. It's an album tour as well, so I'm really finding it hard to find the balance between having enough things to keep my performance to where it should be as well as keeping me warm and safe during shoulder season and into the scorching summer months. good thing I'm coming by my house a month in so I can offload my bulky -18 sleeping bag by then!
One of the best bikepacking additions for me was to Woho saddle bad stabiliser. Bolts onto the saddle and stops the rear bag swinging about which was driving me nuts. Also has 2 bottle mounts on it that are great if you fit a frame bag and lose the space to put a water bottle on.
Really helpfull this Video! And it is not overloaded with Stuff that Nobody needs.Thank You!
Blake's trip with his brother to Wales makes me want to try this! Really excited!
Pro tip for anyone wanting to try out bikepacking, a great way to stow your sleeping bag is by attaching it to your handlebars using webbing straps so it acts like Blake's front loader bag but without having to buy an expensive bike bag. If you thread the webbing straps through the compression straps on your sleeping bag it will be very secure. You can also attach other things by rolling them up and strapping them in, i carried a blow up pillow and my waterproof along with my sleeping bag this way when i first went bikepacking. Lots of people will already have some webbing straps in the house that can do this, i used 2 belts from climbing chalk bags, but the straps are very cheap to buy and useful if you don't have any already.
I'm sure the same principal could also be applied to carrying lots of other things on the bars, part of the fun with bikepacking is to get imaginative with how you store stuff, i once had a can of Heinz beans strapped to my frame in a sock so it didn't scratch it :D
Thank god. Nothing worse at the end of the long day than a scratched can of beans ;-)
Seriously, though--good advice re creative use of webbing straps.
In the boat cruising world we have what is called a shake down cruise. You go to a harbor or anchorage half a day or less from home for a few days and see if everything works. Saves all kinds of miseries. Same thing applies to bike packing. Ride to the local park, or your buddy's house, that's 10 miles away and camp for a couple nights. You'll learn a lot without risking a lot.
Planning my first outing in a couple of days time. Curious how my big enduro will behave but so looking forward to it. Have not camped in aaaaages and really can’t wait.
Good vid. I've done a lot of back packing, but not on a bike. I'd like to give it a go but I'm old now, and need to get fitter first. Anyway I've got most of the gear including the same seat bag you have. It seems good. I did notice that you get a small gap at the bottom between the inner and outer, which you could cram something into. The inner is great because it has an air release valve which helps it cram down into a rock solid tube that won't droop. But as you say, put the heaviest stuff at the bottom. They come in 3 sizes, I think the middle one is good at 10 litres.
For an ultra light sleeping bag you can get one that only comes up to your waist, and a warm jacket. These are the bags made for mountain marathon runners, and weigh 230g (half a pound). My cheapo Geertop tent weighs 0.95 kg plus pole, which can be a trekking pole or a 6 moon 125cm pole that weighs 50 or 80g depending on aluminium or carbon.
I have a tiny gas stove (SOTO WindMaster 4-Flex) that fits inside a 700ml titanium mug which acts as a cooking pot, plus a small canister and plastic stand. Plus plastic spork.
A tiny head torch (Petzl E+Lite Headtorch ) that works off the little round CR 2032 batteries, weighs only a few grams and the batteries can be stored for 10 years.
Generally, every gram counts, and volume too. I expect to need to use a small back pack and frame bag too. The frame bag would just be for inner tube, bike tools and pump.
Went to bike adventure thinking i can make it a 125km w/ 5000m total climb in the wilderness in 1 day so i didnt bring w/ me any lights so when worst scenario happened i needed to look for a B&B to spend the night...luckyly found a small village 😅
Lesson learned, always bring emergency lights ☺
My first bike packing trip is early this summer. I will need to do a short overnighter in prep.
Great tips Blake
Kings Alfreds Way has just been announced and it goes past my house 220 miles loop that's now on my bike packing list ,will probably be my 1st bike packing trip 😁
Me too! Hoping to give it a go after lockdown.
How did it go?
I'm heading off on my first overnight bikepacking adventure in a fortnight! Can't wait 😄
Have fun Lily!
AWSOME! Enjoy.
Awesome, let us know how you get on.
I love the tent, it looks very compact and amazing it could just be hooked unto the bike for setting it up. Thanks man for the tips. Ride safe.
Good tips there, love that tent. Just went to search for it to buy & it is discontinued, no place has it to sell
Every chain I have ever bought and fitted, I have shortened. I take the short piece of chain with me, along with a quick link in a plastic bag. With a chain splitter, some patience and a brew, you can repair any chain situation. I roll a length of super tape and electrical tape around my seat tube. Always there when you need it. Enjoy! 😉
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
been a couple of times only 10 miles away to test out my gear. upgraded to a two man tent cause its miserable being stuck in a tiny one man tent when its raining all day
In some areas you might want your bike in the tent.
Blake Samson is my G, definitely my favourite RUclipsr
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
I've done a thru-hike now graduating to mtn bikepacking 😄
Tomorrow i heading to the Czech Republic to the #bohemianborderbash and the plan is to cycle back from there to the baltic sea where i life.
I am carrying 2 spare tubes, short peace of a chain with 2 quink links, patches, spare hanger for the rear mech and a pair of shift cables, i wrapped a good amount of electrical tape around my pump, multi tool with chainbreaker.
Spot on buddy, I pack the same also and you can fix most mechanicals for a " get you home" type fix. I carry a piece of plastic milk carton too, you can use this as a tyre boot if you get a split tyre and need to fit the tube.
As Blake said a few zip ties can be handy.
Good luck with your trip, sounds great . :-)
@@julianhawker7672 Thanks, the idea with the plastic milk carton is good.
I will make my own, from a piece of plastic from the package of my tires and carry it with me👍
Really really loved this one. Thank you buddy!
Picked up a few good ideas - never too many of those. Thanks 🙏🏼
Best idea... Biltong! Also for extended runs in remote places, small first aid kit, toilet paper and water purification tablets.
James Christopher Eckhardt Brits call it biltong? Im shook. I thought that was aSouthern Africa thing...
@@a.2169 indeed! I am obviously a South African. ;). Still the best snack for any outdoor activities.
@@JimEckhardt aaah, right!
Great video! Thanks Blake💯 Being outdoors in nature with God's gorgeous creatures in peace and quiet is more appealing to me than city life sometimes. This video is full of great tips! and I like Blake's "any bike is the best bike". 💯👍
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
Gawd isn't real.
Another tip: always put everything inside of your tent. Also if the weather predictions say that it isn't going to rain.
It was awful cycling in wet shoes
gmbn adventure rides are awesome there the best love it
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
I will be doing my first bike pack on 10/11 October. I have a 63 mile route planned over 2days. I am also doing it for our local hospital to raise money for the elderly care department so we can buy them Xmas presents 😃 I did a 30 mile ride last night to prepare. I have a few more planned before. Buy as you say the weather is going to play a major factor. Also I was planning to just get a 12l dry bag and strap it to my bike rather than a fancy one which basically just does the same?
30 miles is not far though
Great any bike will do. I'm off on the downhill bike
Love the cable tie holder in your shop, nice one.
That tent though 👌
Unfortunately it's junk. It's a bad tent and you can't use your bike after setting up. Ordos 2 by alpkit is much better for the money.
I pretty much just use a tarp much easier that way
But I do have one Texas sports Phoenix 2P 1.7 pounds not super light not super heavy but man does it hold back the rain with its separate fly
I have one mate who packs very light when he goes camping, he just takes his credit card.
That backloaded is a Tardis if you have jacket, sleeping bag, mat and cooking gear in it.
Thanks for the tips Blake!! I am planning to bikepack the Sunshine Coast in BC Canada next summer.
I have wanted to do that for years. Thank you for the info and motivation. Best to go in pairs? Or is solo okay? Thanks GMBN.
You're always safer to go with a friend or two
Generally best to go with a buddy- it's safer, you can split the load of stuff, and its just plain more fun in my opinion! Solo is of course fine, you just gave to be more careful and be a bit better prepared.
Solo is ok if you have camping experience, but if it is your first time It is much better with someone else. After a couple overnighters you will be confident enough to go by yourself
Woah. I was not expecting that tent to use your bike parts.
Very wise Tips blake,...
Now you post this...just finished my first bike packing trip 😅
Hope you enjoyed it!
Very nice guide bro
Thanks
Great video! I plan on doing nc500 and the new king Alfred's way! Would love to see you guys doing the king Alfred's
Nice tent..👍👍
I've never gone bikepacking before, but the only bike I own is a xs pivot Mach 5.5 (hence why I only afford one bike) and I feel I would have a very difficult time loading it down with luggage.
The Song in the Background is from Walt Adams , it's called dust Bowl and i think it evey May be Copyright free , so great for vids
No spare mech hanger?
Great info. I'm Really wanting to take September to do my first big bikepack up California's Pacific Coast Highway.
So far I'm underprepared, which I'm not too concerned about, but what I am overly concerned about is... BEARS!
I have bike packed from Hanoi to HCMC 4 times (1750km each time). I like to ride on single speed 26" BMX bikes. Packing super light is essential. Riding clothes and a set of casual clothes, some tools and a spare tube is all I take in my seatpost bag. My handlebar bag has phone and accessories. Clipons are not a good idea for touring.
You have all that gear mentioned in the pack off your seat post? 🤔 😊
The heavy stuff should be low in the frame bag ( tools, tubes). Yes, a backpack will tire you out, Unless all you put in is Just clothes.
There's only one tip you need: wing it, you'll learn so much more and have so much more fun!
Please, make a playlist, devoted to bikepacking, on your channel 🙏
A few things I would personally add to the list as essentials to bring along, are:
- First aid kit, and for those not medically trained, do consider first aid training. Especially if you venture more of the beaten path. After all, if you happen to make a nasty fall, emergency services may not be able to reach you fast.
- Include a space blanket (emergency blanket). Extremely light weight, but reduces body heat loss. These few grams can make a massive difference in emergency setting.
- Do consider an emergency beacon. Yes, they come at cost and require a subscription. But it is far better than dying alone in the woods out of GPS reach, if you find yourself stranded with e.g. a broken leg, unable to walk, 50 km away from any sign of human life.
And in this all, consider safety first. Unfamiliar terrain, unfamiliar turns. Don't race, just go that tad bit slower to prevent any potential accidents. And as much as possible, avoid roads with motorized traffic between offroad segments, if you are riding abroad. Nothing so dangerous as the unpredictability of motorized vehicles abroad. No matter where you come from, they will behave different. What works at home, can get you killed within seconds abroad. Especially for those used to cycling in bike friendly countries.
I loved, "the bike you have is the best bike to Bike-Pack with"
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
Where did yo get that cool tent?
it is easier for guys to ride light, as for a female I need big fat sleeping bag even in the summer as well as thick sleeping pad which makes it bulky in any way. 1 kg (2lbs) tent, 2kg (4.4lbs) - Carinthia 4 defense sleeping bag.
1kg(2lbs) -overmont 4.7 inch sleeping pad. 1 lbs - sleeping bag liner -liftume adds up 27F
I would imagine that taking that tent down before cycling away is not likely to be forgotten.
A good place to hide a few cable ties is in the handlebars - take of a bar-end, drop in the cable ties, replace end cap...
I double it: have a test ride with the bikepacking equipment on and if you did *any* mechanical change/repair
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
Should I get the anyon stitched or the Marin alcatraz
i’m going bikepacking soon. where should i go?
North Korea
Bermuda Triangle 🔽
Head torch and spare batteries. Essential.
How about your vlogging equipments?
Our love from india 😍😍♥️♥️🇮🇳🇮🇳
We are supplying similar quality and competitive bicycle bags.
Bring 2. I've had 2 flat tires
Why not put the zip ties in the bottom bracket axle if this hollow? They could even go inside the handle bar if you have separate bar end plugs.
Take wet wipes.
Sticks can be a bit rough on the heinie.
Nice!!!
ok, put new brake pads on beforehand, put lots of sealant in and hope for the best ( you wont be able to reinflate a slashed side wall with co2 or a hand pump, ie, bring a spare tube and boot), you dont need quick links ( you have to use your chainbreak anyway to remove the broken link, so what if your a link smaller).
all you need= small bike tool with chainbreak, plugs, spare tube, patches, boot, tire leavers , zip ties and duct tape, thats it!
Fancy tents are okay, but that Topeak tent is too big and heavy.
Try tent pegs, para cord, and some lightweight tarp.
I would add that if you're using a hammock, to practice for a night in it. Make sure you can get in the right position to sleep comfortably.
ruclips.net/video/eVZMTDcBA5o/видео.html
hi Blake
I travel so much for mtb trips and, all I ever see is land. Endless miles of nature. Then little pockets of towns or cities. I know there isn't any scarcity or overpopulation of people. There are no lies in Nature 💯
but can you do it on a "Mamachari" bike?
Wrap your tape around your mini pump to save space on carrying a whole role.
+1 to not having a backpack on a long ride, especially not a heavy one.
If you are going on a long ride, take wet wipes or something to clean your face, chest, shoulders, etc.
Are you going to Audi nines this year
Unlikely, seeing as it has started
Said displayed setup doesn't even carry enough for a reasonably comfortable trip for 3 days. I will carry actual food and things to make the trip less masochistic so, extra racks and bags within reason will happen and all the minimalists will be freezing and starving whilst I enjoy a few comforts while on walkabout (music, real food, a book, journal/pen, camera, camp shoes, etc.). Trying to go ultra minimalist unless it's an overnighter is lame and one runs the risk of being the designated arse and one being fed or watered by the one who was better provisioned (this coming from a friend who is an experienced bikepacker who also rocks a Surly Big Dummy for a bikepacking rig and has a two-burner stove for gourmet in the boonies...)
Maybe too obvious to mention, but food wise, dehydrated meals you pour hot water into the bag and wait 10 minutes, used by back packers for years. Go for the maximum calories per gram.
Does anybody know where you can actually buy the Topeak Bikamper tent?! I have tried looking loads, i cant even find something similar!
Don't bother, it's junk. Topeak sponsor GMBN
A Field is that from experience? I’ve seen plenty of positive videos on it. Any other alternatives then?
@@jackwakeham7160 Many years of experience wild camping and bikepacking. Never owned the Bikamper because I can see it's bad from demonstrations. It won't hold up in bad weather, it renders your bike useless while it's up, it's not lighter, easier to erect or much easier to pack than a decent lightweight tent. Packing poles is not a problem, just strap them to your bike anywhere. Then you can ride to the pub at the end of the day. Check out more reviews, it's a gimmick.
I recommend Alpkit Ordos 2 in the same price range, far superior quality.
Why didn't you mention deraileur hangers
What's a faffer? You are right. I definitely do not want to be called one
What if my bike is aTrek Slash? Has anyone tried to do bickepacking on an enduro bike? It is lighter than most ebduro bikes, but still not that light. I put on some heavy tires which increased the weight. It is over 15 kg now.
Where can I purchase that BikeKamper tent? I’m here in the states, California 👎
Probably nowhere. I think it's discontinued.