[Closed] Bikepacking trips - show and share your pic's, trips, or plans 🙂

When does bike touring become bike packing?

Is it just road v offroad?

Hope to add to the section of the [url= http://www.ebygomm.ourownlittleworld.org/category/travel/north-sea-cycle-route/ ]north sea cycle route[/url] we've already completed

http://welshridething.blogspot.com/ Plenty of drivel there Sue 😉

Sounds like you've got some pretty epic adventures planned for the year ... good luck with them.

Cheers for the link to the WRT blog ... would have loved to have done it this year (especially as it's just down the road from me), but my friend is inconveniently getting married at the same time. Oh, and could I just ask you about bears ...

ebygomm ... no idea when cycle touring becomes bike packing 🙂 I tend to head out on my 'cross bike so I can mix up the 'on-road' and 'off-road' whenever I fancy. I guess I quite liked the term 'bikepacking' cos that seems to sum up what appeals to me most - pack everything you want / need onto your bike (even if sometimes it's just a credit card!)and head off ...

I read somewhere else an article about the bikepacking / biketouring distinction (actually, maybe the last ACA newletter) and I think the end distinction was along the lines that bikepacking was off-road and touring on-road.

Your to-do list looks pretty similar to mine Sue! I'm off in a couple of months to do a trip in the western States, something like:
[i]LA - Death Valley - Joshua Tree - Grand Canyon - Zion / Arches / Canyonlands - Yellowstone - Glacier NP - ...[/i]
It will be mostly on-road, although I'm thinking of fitting different tyres and doing the Grand Canyon / Utah section off-road.

And yes, the kit-buying potential is huge!

EDIT to add bikepacking article [url= http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/201012_Bikepackingarticle.pdf ]pdf file[/url]

Outer Hebrides is great. There is lots of opportunity to ride off road, some amazing scenery and stunning places to wild camp.

It ranks as one of my all time favourite places to have toured.

We stayed a in few places on Harris for more than one night to allow us to enjoy some of the fantastic MTB routes that would not be enjoyable laden with gear.

Do it, you will never regret it. (as long as you take some good waterproofs and some midge repellant)

Alpine Girl - how many miles are you planning to do in total? Sounds like an epic trip. I've never quite decided whether I'd want to bike tour in the states, I'm not sure I could handle the massive distances with little scenery changes.

I thought the distinction was probably just off road/on road, but I know I once suggested the Norwegian section of the North Sea Cycle Route to someone asking for bikepacking recommendations and was told it didn't qualify. The Danish section we did has a 10km or so section on the beach so I thought that firmly qualified it as off road.

Alpine girl - cheers for the link, not sure now where to put myself - mainly road but with off-road sections. However, given that I usually travel with panniers, I suspect I might be in the 'cycle touring' category!

Your US trip sounds amazing! Any more details? Have you planned it yourself, or is this an organised trip? I've been to northern Utah (Arches / Canyonlands) and the landscape makes it the most stunning place I have ever been to. I was looking for a route like that, but the only 'group' trip that the ACA was doing this year in that area seemed to be for a week around Utah, and I'm wanting to go for longer than a week, so have been looking at their pacific coast trip.

MLC - yup would be taking waterproofs and skin so soft to the hebridies (used to live in Argyll so am familiar with both the weather and the wee beasties!). Was considering heading there during the easter period (when we have that convenient extra holiday), but not sure how busy it would be, or whether late April is too early in the year weather-wise?

Just for you Sue, an Argyll bikepacking trip (or two) in my blog.

[url] http://ianezzi.blogspot.com/2010/11/like-fool-to-his-folly-loch-lomond-to.html#comments [/url]

[url] http://ianezzi.blogspot.com/2010/11/learning-from-my-mistakes-benderloch.html [/url]

Both of these formed part of a learning curve which resulted in some longer/more ambitious trips which I might eventually put up on the blog, if I ever get the time!

I've learned to give myself more time/leeway than I might actually need, its far more enjoyable being able to linger in an area or climb a hill for a day than be stuck to a schedule which sometimes result in a bit of a 'head down' attitude to get to the next campsite.

Umm... I haven't actually worked out how many miles my trip will be because I think the reality might be a bit daunting! I guess somewhere around 4000 miles maybe (or more)? I have just put the trip together, since I first came up with the idea its been constantly evolving. I've never been to the States before so I just looked at a map and tried to draw a line through the places I want to visit. I'm not sure it's the best way to plan a trip though!? The route is something along the lines of what's shown in this [url= http://maps.google.de/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=de&msa=0&msid=216116218473599825112.00049a0b3cee226bab06e&ll=41.244772,-109.643555&spn=20.684929,30.27832&z=5 ]map[/url] - I'm not sure yet how I want to connect the Utah - Yellowstone bit, or how to best connect the Grand Canyon and all the Utah parks.

Originally I wanted to the Pacific coast Alaska southwards but after reading some more everyone recommends against doing it in this direction (due to wind and being on the "wrong" side of the road), also when I want to start it will still be very cold in Alaska. I plan to hit one of the national parks every few days or so, so I'm hoping that will keep me interested and last summer I cycled for a couple of weeks through Finland (not the most dynamically changing landscapes) and didn't get bored....

When I get back I'm really looking forward to doing some trips around Scotland though - especially in the very north and west.

Mrs S and I did this one:

http://pompinos.blogspot.com

[url= http://www.bikepacking.net/ ]Bike packing[/url] vs [url= http://travellingtwo.com/ ]Bike touring [/url] ❓

Anyhow - I'm off round the Trossachs area for a long weekend in July. Planning a few other long weekends possibly Offas Dyke, Trans Pennine Trail C2C, Lakes.

More than likely take the Kona Sutra and a tent for these trips as they'll be a bit on bit off road. But I'm also planning the odd 'for one night only' bivvy on the hardtail carrying most of my kit in a Karrimor Barley saddle bag.

I'll get my pipe.

My interpretation of Back Packing v Bike Touring is very simplistic. Bike Packing you carry your accommodation with you, Bike Touring you don't. Suits my simple mind 8)

@ SueW

I'm definatley up for the channel - med trip

Thats if you're not a nutter of course 🙂

Argyll,
[url= http://coastkid.blogspot.com/search/label/Biking%20the%20Kintyre%20Way ]Kintyre Way....[/url]

Lammermuir Hills, East Lothian and into the Borders...
[url= http://coastkid.blogspot.com/2010/06/lammermuir-hills-bikepacking.html ]Haddington to Lauder to Soutra...[/url]

Beachriding/beach camping on Harris...
[url= http://vimeo.com/5239769 ]http://vimeo.com/5239769[/url]

For me the difference between bikepacking and bike touring is easy. Mine it doesn't matter if it's off road or on road. You carry your home with you on both but:

Bike touring - I use panniers
Bikepacking - I don't (so even more super minimal)

[img][url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5351233345_d5df205f43.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5351233345_d5df205f43.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24346438@N07/5351233345/ ]n619448697_2251954_6520804[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/24346438@N07/ ]nickendeacott[/url], on Flickr[/img]
2 months round the south Island of NZ, loved every second of it, free camped, occasional stay in Motor Camp for a comfy nights sleep, usually prededed by a rare night on the booze! skinny dipping with Belgian cycle tourers who were making their way round the world.Magic!
[img][url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3662439812_4512d35c1d.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3662439812_4512d35c1d.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24346438@N07/3662439812/ ]2381_67139968697_619448697_2251974_4854477_n[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/24346438@N07/ ]nickendeacott[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Thanks all - what fantastic trips, great pictures and write-up! So many amazing places to go, and bikes are definately the best way to travel. I'm sitting here now with a really bad case of itchy feet ...

Plumber - if you haven't come to your senses yet, and still fancy a ride across France, drop me an e-mail: suewilliamsouATyahooDOTcoDOTuk I don't think I'm a nutter (leastways didn't seem to be last time I checked ...) We could make it the first STW cycle tour / bikepack* trans-France trip 🙂

*delete according to one of the various definitions, variously based on: terrain (and no I don't know what you are if you mix up on road and off-road); type of luggage carrying equipment; type of bike; minimalist baggage or taking everythign including the kitchen sink ...

Its always been touring to me - on or offroad. Not a lot planned for this year but we are going to try out a new thing for us - rather than take the tandem which we cannot get on trains we are going to try me towing a trailer with all our kit so mrs TJ can ride her solo as well - then we can use trains. we will see if that mean we ride at a similar speed / level

Maybe a night in the lammermuirs to try and a long weekend in Glen Afric to do some munros - but use the bikes to get there from Inverness

Sue - a couple of our trips - one offroad one on road.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25846484@N04/sets/72157605318858779/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25846484@N04/sets/72157624977918769/

Trying to get a facebook page up and running to discuss and post all matters related to bikepacking

"Bikepacking UK" - if you are interested, start posting and see where it goes

slimtubing - ahhhh the 'don't go over the bars sign at Kumara'. That sign is there because many/most people ride that way to the start of the Coast to Coast multisport race. Its dark and there are ALWAYS dislocated collarbones and accidents on the bridge - nervous athletes about to mash themselves + early morning = not thinking. A friend did it, 9 months training, lots of $$$$ and time and suffering all lost because he was a muppet (his words)

I'm not sure I like this "bikepacking" - to me it's all touring, whether it's on- or off-road, or even a mix of the two.

Here's some I prepared earlier...

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-ride-report-warning-roadtourerlongphoto-content

http://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/sets/72157607210625132/ (Photos only)

http://www.scotroutes.com/Slide%20Shows/Barra%20to%20the%20Butt/default.htm and http://www.scotroutes.com/Routes/Road/Report.htm

Druidh - Youth of today eh? Bikepacking indeed.

Me and Mme Moonteresse are riding the TransAm from Virginia to Oregon starting in June. For me its touring on the road. Three years ago I pondered the TransAm ride. Folks I spoke to all said the best bits were in Oregon. I thought then about the Pacific coast on Highway 1. Its a great route, but is mostly the main coast road with little safety provision for cyclists. The weather can be pesky too. I've ridden a fair bit in rural Oregon, Washington and California.

Having read a series of blogs on crazyguyonabike.com about the TransAm it looks a great challenge with enough variety between the states to keep things interesting.

[img] [/img]

Last September I did my first (and only to-date) tour - I rode Northward on NCN1 (also part of the North Sea Cycle Route) from Berwick-Upon-Tweed to John O' Groats, round Orkney mainland, then Shetland mainland end-to-end. 880 miles in total, road touring (with bits of gentle off-road), on my own, in 13 days. 1 partially knackered knee on Day 4, 1 completely knackered tooth on Day 6, and 1 totally ruined Kit after an horrendous ferry journey from Lerwick back to Aberdeen in Force 9 winds on Day 13/14.

I 'blogged' photos onto Facebook at the time, but they're no longer there and I never got round to putting my DSLR photos online. Soon...

Hope to make South to North Outer Hebrides my next trip.

Kit - 880 miles is pretty damn good going for your first trip! Hope your knee / tooth are no longer knackered.

TJ and DruidH ... so if I refer to it as bikepacking can I be down with the youth 🙂

mcmoonter - I've got my eye on the TransAm - one for the future after I've built up some more experience first. Would be great to hear about your trip after you get back.

And is it just me, or does anyone else love the justification it gives you for eating loads of great food!

Sue - did you look at my pics? Every third one is a huge plate of food and a pint 🙂 we do around ten miles per pint when touring

mcmoonter - I've got my eye on the TransAm - one for the future after I've built up some more experience first. Would be great to hear about your trip after you get back.

I think we'll try and get a blog organised. I fancy something along the lines of alpine girl's tour, but the parks can be really busy in summer.

On road the bigger ones that I have done include:

This loop around the Hebrides
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Lejog
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a couple of months around Scandinavia
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and a couple of nice loops in south western australia
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Offroad:

3 day tour of the Cairngorms
[img] [/img]

Scottish Coast to Coast (Kyle to Aberdeen)
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[img] [/img]

Inverness to Fort William to Elgin
[img] [/img]

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Machynlleth to Abergavenny
[img] [/img]
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In NZ, the Queen Charlotte Track, Kaikora Coastal Track and Otago Central Railway
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

Several adventures on the long distance Munda Biddi trail in Western Australia
[img] [/img]
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The 900km Mawson Trail in South Australia
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]

mcmoonter - Member

I think we'll try and get a blog organised. I fancy something along the lines of alpine girl's tour, but the parks can be really busy in summer.

Can you post up a link if you do? I'd be interested to see what that route is like (from a British perspective), at the moment I am whiling away alot of my desk time looking at CGOAB journals! I'm starting in April so relatively early, I'm hoping this will give me cooler temperatures and less people in the parks.

Alpine girl, It might be well worth your while starting a thread on CGOAB re the parks.

April is earlyish for a TransAm as there is still snow over the passes in the Rockies. I cant imagine you'll have that problem further south. I usually go to the States in Sept, after Labor Day, most places are pretty quiet.

Will certainly post a blog link on here.

I've never tried it before, but I'm planning to strap a tent to my bike and head for Devon, some time this year.

Going to start around Sidmouth and work toward Plymouth, sticking to coast / off-road as much as possible.

Any suggestions?

Alpine girl - be prepared to still encounter snow and cold weather at that time. I've been in May and there's was still snow on the ground in Bryce, total whiteout on one of the passes between bryce and moab and -10 overnight at the grand canyon.

ebygomm - thanks, I've already been warned about the possibility of cold weather. I'll be taking warm stuff (incl. winter sleeping bag) and my route is pretty flexible so I will either try to avoid the high elevations or spend a bit longer in southern Arizona until it warms up.

It's worth knowing that a lot of the national parks have camping spaces specifically for hikers/bikers who haven't arrived by car which are cheaper and are always likely to have space available no matter what time of year. I've always been able to turn up at national parks and get a spot without booking.

toab - Member
I've never tried it before, but I'm planning to strap a tent to my bike and head for Devon, some time this year.

Going to start around Sidmouth and work toward Plymouth, sticking to coast / off-road as much as possible.

Any suggestions?

Give [url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/ ]Charlie the Bikemonger[/url] a call, that's close to his neck of the woods 8)