The Street > The Bike Shop
Road touring gear? Touring advice?
Narcoleptic Insomniac:
--- Quote from: Rusty on November 12, 2016, 02:48:00 AM ---
--- Quote from: Narcoleptic Insomniac on November 11, 2016, 05:51:25 PM ---Sounds awesome. I can't offer any advice on gear but I suggest you take a couple of overnight camping trips close to home at first. It'll give you a rough idea of what stuff you definitely want to bring and what you can do without and also what it's like to ride a loaded bike. Water purification tablets are a good idea especially if you're gonna be in remote locations. I wouldn't consider dehydrated meals cheating.
As for loading the bike, try to load heavier items on the front rack. This helps with bike handling and stability. A mountain descent on a rear-heavy bike is gonna be sketchy. Consider a frame bag. Use the rear rack or saddle bag for bulky but lightweight items such as a sleeping bag or tent. Bring condoms.
--- End quote ---
So just so I have a check list accurate a front rack + panniers is more than enough for overnight or more camping trip? Really all I'm trying to accomplish starting out. I know I'll need a rear rack but I'm on a budget and big bike stuff is expensive! The local has a nice Jandd frame bag that I've been super tempted to buy but its orange... Would prefer black but I'm sure they'd order me one.
--- End quote ---
Yeah front rack and panniers should be enough for overnight trips. If you're on a budget don't worry too much about it. Just get what you can afford and strap anything else to your bike anyway you can (ie sleeping bag to handlebars, etc), it's supposed to be an adventure after all.
Prodigal Son:
Santa Cruz can yield some good times I suppose Big Basin Redwoods would be a dope place to ride through.
.SIN.:
Rusty,
I know and have ridden with Shayne, he does this type of riding all the time:
https://vimeo.com/133488408
https://www.blackburndesign.com/out-there/pacific-coast/shayne-khajehnoori/
pm me a number to reach you at and i will give you Shaynes and you can talk to him...
BonerhasBent:
My advise is, load as much as possible on the front of the bike. Ideally you want a low trail bike, but any bike will do. I personally run the Surly front rack with a Wald basket attached to the top. This allows easy access to a lot of the stuff i need during the ride, and or quick stops.. Below that 2 panniers with gear. I also run a medium frame bag, which allows me to run two bottles in the triangle, along with a 3rd bottle on the underside of the DT. I also use a big backpacking saddle bag. This is my personal setup and it works quite well for me.
I carry a tarp with me, not a tent, its more useful, lighter and easier to pack. I also bring a bivy sack, which is used almost every night. No need for a tent IMO. The tarp comes out if the weather is shit, so i have a place to chill, cook, drink, whatever. Then slip in the bivy and call it a night.
Best to check out http://www.bikepacking.com/
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php
Also, if your a DIY type, check out RayWay. I use his tarp and quilt, they rule!
http://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml
Here is my setup from a few years ago on the California coast tour.
Used a hammock this time, along with a tarp.
Rusty:
thank you all for your input on this. Definitely getting more motivated by the day. I'm digging the tarp idea since a tent is a bit bulky. Mignt still invest in a small tent just so my first local overnighters are simple. Video was really inspiring as well!
I think I'm gonna buy the soma deluxe rack since it's got the wide surface with pannier support. Half moon bay, south of San Fransisco has a campground by the beach that seems very obtainable as my first overnighters on the bike.
Anyone have good literature recommendations on camping basics?
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