11 Things I Learned On My First Bikepacking Trip
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
- Almost 12 years ago, Neil went on his first bikepacking, trip an ambitious 10-day journey along the Colorado Trail. The trip was a success, but it wasn't without many learning experiences. In our latest video, Neil unpacks what he learned from the trip and discusses how he'd do it differently today.
This video was supported by Salsa Cycles, learn more about Adventure By Bike here: www.salsacycles.com/salsa/adv...
Outline:
Intro: 0:00
1 Start with something short - 1:17
2 Ditch backpacks - 2:46
3 Use space wisely - 4:18
4 Dont stress about gear placement - 5:05
5 Less is more - 5:49
6 The bike you have is the bike you use - 6:32
7 Test your gear - 7:39
8 Sharing is caring - 8:51
9 Plan on riding at night - 9:37
10 Capture the experience - 10:22
11 Backpacking with friends is best - 10:57
Related Links:
Bikepacking 101: bikepacking.com/bikepacking-101/
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#bikepacking #pedalfurther
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::About The Host::
Neil Beltchenko ( / neil_beltchenko )
Geometry: 150lbs, 5'9.5", 32" inseam, +2.5" Ape index 
Развлечения
What did I learn on my first trip, when I was 13, I learned you should bring a tent. A tarp and a tin foil space blanket just doesn't cut it at any age.
Bivy bags are prone to condensation but are doable but I prefer to sling a hammock if the area Im biking through supports it.
Nice--thank you! I think my biggest takeaway from first long trip (5 weeks all over the Scottish Highlands), is to think of your day in terms of hours ridden, not miles covered. 30-40 miles fully loaded off-road can be a very full day! And super fun if you dial back potential contriveed expectations. Sit back, look around(!), enjoy the bike pushing where needed, eat at a nice lunch spot, etc. Oh, and meander if that's where the cool countryside is!! Who says getting from point A to point B in a relatively straight line is the best?!
Always pack a meal, even if you plan on stopping at a market for dinner. I've passed up many nice camping spots due to not having food with me.
We always have 5 days of dried food. The slower you go, the more you need to carry with you for some of us seniors.
My learning from my first bikepacking trip: Start early! In my case I was in elementary school. Some decades later my kids are doing their first bikepacking trips in kindergarden. We do less miles and less climbing than Neil on the CT
What I learned on my first trip - if it rains heavily don’t ride (especially if it’s early season). I had all of the rain gear and was just miserable. So now, I always add an extra day or two to my outings and when it rains, well that’s my day off :-)
Thx for the awesome content, as always.
I’ve learned over the years to go at a pace that is sustainable. Take breaks and eat whenever you feel it’s needed. It’s not a race. I always say Bikepacking is the beauty of going A to B.
Don't overthink and overplan. My fist bikepacking trip (in France) was a solo adventure, and I was quite nervous about the what and how, tried to plan for all possible scenarios... After three of four days I realised how liberating it is to improvise, change plans, take detours. Now, I obviously still plan ahead, but I'm much more relaxed about the things that might (and will!) happen.
Taking my 62 yr old Covid rattled body out this Summer all over Oregon. Starting slow with longer daily rides now & hikes to check terrain. Thank you for info on Channel. I really needed different info than what I was finding. Your channel has cleared up a lot for me. Take Care☮️
Back in 1977(12 day), bicycle touring from California up to Vancouver Island along HWY1, I found out the importance of always having a bike light. I had cycled well into the night(stealth camping) and slept under a very large spruce tree just outside of Seattle. This saved my life as I had unknowingly slipped into a military base. Tank noise woke me up in the middle of the night as they crashed through brush and smaller trees. WHEW!! Now around 50 years later, Bikepacking on a fatbike is my preferred bike travel for the last 10 years. We stay off asphalt as much as possible. Introducing my wife to bikepacking rather than hiking, made me realize there is so much to know about bikepacking. FUN!! :)
Dang, my heart would be pounding! Thanks for sharing.
My biggest lesson learned was to stress less and just do it. I rode the GAP and C&O from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. Not quite the Colorado trail, but still an aggressive choice for a first time. I stressed out so much about it that i was losing sleep and not eating well. I agonized over maps and gear and weather reports and whatnot. In the end, it didn't matter. It was all for naught. The ride went well, and the gear I chose worked fine. I gained confidence and realized that the gear I own is the gear i can use. And to ride it one day at a time accepting whatever gets thrown my way, dealing with it as part of the adventure.
I watch a lot of RUclips bikepacking gear videos and after quite a few multiday adventures now with my wife, I've narrowed things down to a few hard and fast basics. Firstly, yes I think you're right about not having weight on your back in the form of a backpack. I see some bike packers carrying some big backpacks in videos and think that's not only surely going to be a major punish on your backside but it's also so fatiguing on your body! If you're concerned about carrying enough water, then maybe a Camelback with hydration bladder at the most but endeavour to keep weight off your back. Secondly I think ensuring you stay warm enough, dry and comfortable to get good sleep. Anything will become a punish if you're not getting enough sleep and if you're backing up day after day on poor sleep, you're not going to enjoy your adventure. Next, good quality dry wet weather gear like quality Goretex jacket. No fun riding all day wet (and cold). Depending on how long your adventure is, and the temperature, I've learnt u tend to overestimate how many items of clothing u need. I've pared down how many cycling tops and shorts to my fave set then 1 spare set. Finally, I see many bike packers take a lot of of bibs and bobs and knick knacks but I've learnt, I don't use a lot of this stuff. Why take 2 pocket knives then another knife for food prep. when 1 multi-tool pocket knife will suffice? This reasoning can apply to many things, eg, why take 2 or 3 torches if a head torch will do? And similarly with footwear. I now use Northwave mtn bike shoes with recessed spd cleats which are ok for general walking in, say to the pub after dinner, and a pair of light thongs, ditching the need for a pair of sneakers. I never got into cycle touring with panniers and mountains of gear because it looked too heavy and difficult but love bikepacking immensely and 1 reason is I love the minimalism of it! The minimalistic nature of it really is what I think is one of the big attractions. Definitely a case of 'less is more!'
The best thing I learned on my first bikepacking trip was to locate the first post office on my route so I could mail home all the gear I was sure I'd need but really didn't.
Just watched this whilst sitting at the airport on my way to New Zealand for my first bike packing adventure! Very excited and can’t wait to get the bike moving!
Me too....I'm going on my first bikepacking trip April 3 doing the New Zealand TA ride starting in Auckland to the bottom of the north island. I have bike toured for year but never camped I'm looking forward to this trip.
Great video, thank you very much for sharing such a personal experience. In the end we are just people united by the love of the bicycle and the possibility of traveling on it. Greetings from Chile.
I have been bike touring since the early 70's,. I already had all the trip gear from canoe, kayak and backpack trips. I try to avoid road/trail mistakes by taking any new gear on an all-day or close to home overnight ride. I ride almost every day year around on the rail to trails, country roads as well as the trail system in my city that connects the many rivers, streams and lakes. Every day is a test ride taking one or more pieces of equipment. I never go on a tour with untested equipment, from stainless steel water bottle, grub bag, base layer, lighting, new IPhone app, etc. One of things I work on daily rides is muscle memory, practice making every movement automatic. (from my days as a athlete and coach) Every item I bring has to serve two or more functions. The only single use Item I bring is my first aid kit. Not for ouchies, but for that Bing Bang Bong Crash. It is the one thing every biker moving on two wheels has sooner or later.
I have to thank you all for inspiring MANY of us to just get out there. Last summer I did my first few over nighters and I'm planning more for this summer. I learned that I'm capable of way more than I thought and that I need to understand my gear better. The biggest skill I'm trying to learn is to just stay calm when things don't go to plan. Thank you for another awesome video!
Did a group overnighter last summer for first time. We all whipped out 9 individual jetboils + stoves etc at dinner time. A bit of communication could have probably saved us some weight just to boil water!
What I learned from my first bikepacking trip (really it was cycletouring setup): Don't overload the bike. I love harder gears anyway (always grinding) but you really can overdo it! I wound up breaking rear spokes on my bike because I packed way more than I would ever need and overplanned for every eventuality! Too many sets of clothes. A camping chair. Biking shoes and camp shoes. You name it. Altogether too much! Love this video and the spirit of mature reflection you bring to it Neil!! Such a help to us all and we are all still learning. Looking forward to hitting the rail trails soon. Loved the head unit segment too! Thanks for helping me to Pedal Further with enjoyment!
Great video, Neil. To add to your "capture the memories" tip, I would say that if possible, create some sort of a written account. I keep a personal blog that's perfect for sharing with family and friends, but it could also be a journalling app, the notes app on your phone, or even a paper diary. Whether you write hundreds of words or just a few lines is up to you, but having a written account of your feelings and impressions is so much richer than photos alone. I don't always feel like writing after a long day in the saddle, but on those cold and dreary days at the end of November when I'm dreaming about my next trip, there's nothing better than grabbing a warm beverage and reading back through a previous trip.
Great point, I actually wrote two things on this trip when I got back home in 2012 that helped me jog my memory. It was helpful and also really fun to look back at that experience... a few things I certainly forgot. Mike actually wrote each night on the trip and does that on all of the trips I've done with him.
I have always taken many pictures and many years ago slides which tells the stories!
Next year I will go on my first bikepacking trip… the GDMBR…. Next month I’ll collect my new bicycle in London. I live in the Netherlands. I have extended experience in road trips on a heavy loaded recumbent. Twice 6 months of touring with a lot of stealth camping. The last big trip was from Prudhoe bay to Panama City. I’ll try out in may this year gear (all new) and bicycle. And train with the new bicycle. Next year I’ll retire and start with this trip. Some friends will come along, they say. But if needed I’ll continue alone. Although I think I’ll meet likeminded people along the way. Especially the long stretch with very few waterpoints will be done with more people, safer that way. I love your videos thank you for all the advice! Menno
Great idea for a video. Thanks for sharing and spreading the stoke
looks like the guy at 3:20 is floating in happiness... a great video and story, a mini version of Duzers LatAm to Colo!
This was a great video. Thanks for posting. Your channel inspires me to adventure by bike!
thanks Neil, 10 days for your first trip sounds perfect to me, trial by fire, love it, great stuff
Funny, I was also bikepacking on a Trek Fuel EX in 2012 in Iceland ! I loved this bike !
Taking first bikepacking trip in April on the trusty hardtail. This channel is helping with the effort. Thank you!
Glad to help and thanks for watching. Have a blast.
ride the bike you like to ride. my buddy convinced me to get a karate monkey with 3" tires for a pretty flat and paved route (because it was his n+1). everyone else had road geometry gravel bikes. i was so slow 😭. years later and countless bikepacking trips in, i got the bike i wanted and love the sport.
Taking on board the plastic bag to cover dry bags when needed. Good for any mice holes etc. Thanks Neil. Great work as always
Hopefully weather will hold as I go on my first one in May with a group. I have tested my gear and I am older than everyone by 10 years, lol, but really looking forward to it!
I too had my first bikepacking trip on the Colorado Trail. It definitely kicked my butt and I was greatly unprepared for it. An injury had me bailing at Silverton but it was definitely a trip of a lifetime. I also learned tons on that trip.
I learn on my first trip to just do it. Planned it by myself and rode it. Great experience.
my takeaway from my first trip is, that: make sure the route you take is doable for all participants. we were riding through germany and my buddy was just dead after 2 days. it was his first trip, mine aswhell. but iam just a whole lot fitter than he is, so i had to do a lot of wating for him...
My first lesson is 12 hours in the saddle is A LOT!
I did it! Your video encouraged me to do my first bikepacking trip. Didn't have the latest and greatest bike but my 26er Intense allowed me to have a great experience.
Amazing, where did you go?
@@BIKEPACKINGcom I went to Calatagan, Batangas from Tagaytay. It's a wonderful seaside location 60KM from Tagaytay(2.7k ft from sea level). Took the back roads, had a couple of show stopper cramps but hey I did it. Such a wonderful feeling for an old timer like me with an equally old bike. Your videos are a wealth of resource for riders like me. It really helped me prepare.
Sorry forgot to mention...Im in the Philippines :)
Interesting. For me the more off road the route, the easier it is on the bum, because I spend more time out of the saddle. It's the road- riding on flat terrain, with its endless rubbing, that's the worst. I agree with ditching the backpack of course. The only exception is winter riding when I carry water on my back to keep it warm.
Wish I watched this before I set off on my first bikepacking trip through the Netherlands!
My first trip is coming up on the 25th of this month, 200km through the Welsh mountains and valleys! Doing it on my gravel bike, which should be a challenge!
I've been obsessing about what to take and where to place it! Started out with panniers, but scrapped that idea in favour of a dry bag on the rear rack and tent on the handlebars. So far my total weight for my bike and kit is 23kg, which I don't think is too bad? I'll also be carrying a Camelback which should be around 4kg inc fluid!
Gonna be a big learning curve! ✌️
I carry my down stuff in an Ortleib messanger bag. It's waterproof, you don't have to stuff it, and it's light.
Крутое видео ✓
Спасибо 😊
I plan to bike part of the Colorado Trail in July. The goal is to start from Silverton, head north to the highest point (on that segment, I believe) and then reverse direction and head to Durango. It will be my first bikepacking trip. I’ll be with a friend. The point is to have fun and to enjoy the views. What I’m not sure about is how many days it will take. Any advice there?
Thank you for all of your helpful videos-always informative and inspiring!
Wasn’t aware Co trail was your first trip! 😂
2012 seems like ages ago...
@@BIKEPACKINGcom for sure!
My first lessons were :
1. Solo is better than group
2. Be prepared to Enjoy the headwinds
3. Know the physical limitations
Neil's first fight was to the International Space Station.
Ha-Ha, no kidding!
11:19 the trails giving y’all the finger! 😳
Haha, you can only do something for the first time once and most likely we learn from it. Well, each time actually. As long as you enjoy it thats the important thing. Definitely took too much on my trip, and even chucked some stuff on the way....
Which items were unnecessary?
Anything that added weight, like a small camping stool. To be fair it was my first fully loaded touring setup with camping, for a 3 week tour of duration about 20 times longer than I'd ever tried previously. After a week, I became ruthless with the stuff and realised there's only so much you can learn from the web or form others - the 'you'll know if you really need it or not' became very clear. Nowadays I'm more bikepacking where you're forced to take less anyway, but I also like to be comfortable so its a dilemma
Have you any experience with a cargo packing trailer? Burley single wheel?
Did I spy a few pics of you on a Mach4SL ? Review coming soon?
Indeed, stay tuned in March.
I have little gear, a bike I don't think is capable enough, almost no camping experience, and no bike friends. I'll go bikebacking one day
I can bike pack on paved roads but work gets in the way
There’s a Picture of your bike with a rack and some kinda roll top back rack bag …. I love it and can’t find anything like it … can you help … I know it’s a long time ago but would love a rack bag like that..
Do any of these looks familiar? bikepacking.com/index/rear-bike-racks-bikepacking/
What's holding me back.. well i have the bike and the bags and the gear but now the economy is such that i work 7 days a week... so it just sits in the garage
What bar bag did you use that needed a trash bag? 🤔👀
Would love to bikepack but I don't think my Surly 27.5 bridge club is the right bike to ride. I will be touring on this bike and I do have tubeless rims and tires but need new beefier wheels for going off road.
I would encourage you to get out there and have your own adventure by bike. Maybe you’re not doing the Colorado trail, or the Baja tour, but you might be surprised with how much you can do. I made it across the US on a rigid Kona Sutra with just a seat post suspension.
@MrQuestful what seat post suspension do you use? I'm looking at getting the redshift shock seat post but it uses springs instead of elastomers.
@@stevemullin1195 I use the Kinekt Body Float, which also uses springs. I haven’t tried the redshift but I like the springs because you can dial in the springiness, whereas the elastomer is sort of fixed and gets stiffer when it’s cold.
I'd say go for it, from what i saw your bike is more than adequate for most terrain. It's amazing what bikes can do, i recently did an event where an gravel or mtb would be ideal, however, people rode the course on everything from vintage road bike (!) to full suspension, and finished smiling just the same.
Does Salsa sales bikes in EU?
Yes, via Lyon.
@@BIKEPACKINGcomWhat is Lyon? Othen than city in France.
@@kivinprod www.lyonequipment.com
I would love to bike pack but live in the middle of farm land in Ohio.
Ohio to Erie trail looks amazing, Lots of great rail trail options in Ohio
What’s this about chamois cream damaging chamois?!
I've found that it accelerates the chamois getting packed out, reducing loft and increases stretching. pair that with a 10 day trip, its not ideal. So what I try to keep it as dry as possible and I'll swap from a chomois to wool brief during my trip, which changes the pressure points on the sit bones.
Thanks for the pro tips! By the way, have you tried cycling shorts by a Spanish company called Cima Coppi? They are BOSS. Wool and eco, too.
Get bumpy KM's in beforehand to acclimatize the butt!
How's it going.
Promo>SM 😴
Plan for your plan not to work out as per the plan 😂