Good solid advice. My son and I bikepacked the C&O last year with mountain bikes and a 25-year-old trailer that he used to ride in when he was a toddler. My daughter and I have backpacked the last several years and much of that experience and equipment translated between the two types of excursions - a lot of which you have shared in this video, including color-coded dry bags! My son and I are again riding the C&O and the GAP the end of May. We are doing it this time with panniers and I upgraded to a gravel bike. It's appreciated having solid advise, without shouting at the camera, and showing that adventures are not all sunshine and butterflies. Keep riding!
That’s awesome. Keep me posted on your adventure in May. It’s gonna be a different ride with that setup. Have a blast! I can’t wait to do the GAP & C&O again. Thanks so much. I appreciate your compliments. I like to show people the way I would want someone to show me. Cheers! Happy trails!
Awesome video! I enjoyed seeing a setup that is capable of a many day (self supported too) journey that doesn't use bags on a front fork. Have you given any thought to using a frame bag for some of your gear? I think that might be the move for my setup to stash items that are less frequently used or can be folded/squished flat.
If you have the luxury of credit carding/motel instead of camping, would you add any "luxuries" to take the space of your tent/sleeping/cooking stuff or just enjoy riding with lesser weight? Great vids btw, keep 'em coming!
Actually my Ohio to Erie Trail Thru Ride was a credit card trip. I changed the setup completely and scrapped the rack and panniers and went with a seat post bag. So much LIGHTER! So my luxury was a way lighter biker. But if I were going pannier setup and hoteling, I’d pack more off bike clothes - sundress and strappy shoes! 💃🏻
Sure I can. I just have a Bontrager Deluxe Back Rack. The key to getting a rack is finding one that works with exact bike, the connectors are strong enough for touring and it can carry the weight you plan to load on it. I have an Anker Power Bank 325. There are several capacity options. Mines charges for at least 3 days on trail with charging everything. Check for new ones with a quicker charge time. I’ll upgrade to add a solar charger soon. Have a blast on the GAP/C&O. I love those trails, so fun!
I plan to do the entire Ohio Erie trail and hotel hop and noticed I have about one third to half of the gear you had on that trip. Hydration and light snacks are important. Did you have any long gaps on the route with no water or places to eat?
So I only used a seat post bag and handlebar bag on the OTET. This full pannier setup was camping on the Katy trail. For OTET, I only took a change of on the bike clothes, of the bike clothes, rain gear, snacks, first aid kit and bike repair. There weren’t any crazy excessive sections on the OTET without food/water, tons of little towns. Between Columbus and London was sparse but that was it.
Great video, thanks! When you are off the bike and exploring towns and things, are you worried about anything being stolen? And how do you make sure it doesn't? Or am I just being paranoid? 😬
Thanks. I definitely worry about my bike and gear. If I’m traveling with friends, sometimes one will keep an eye out. I also always bring a long cable lock so I can take it through my panniers if needed. But sometime I don’t worry about. When solo, I just park in a very open spot or I’ve even been know to bring it into wherever I’m going. If you do a cable lock, go with the key kind. The combo locks are easy to break.
Thanks for the tips! I seen your shirt, if you're from Louisville, my prayers are with you guys for the mass shooting today at the slanted roof office building, sorry don't know the name of it, how are these people families MISSING THAT SOMETHING IS "OFF" WITH THEM!?😢
Thanks and thank you for your thoughts. It’s just awful. Louisville is a small town kinda big city. We’ll make it through. For me, I’m not giving the person who did this a moment of attention. We lost 5 people. I’ll honor them. I hope other communities don’t experience this.
I don't get it, you have raingear but no mudguards on you touring bike...Bike life is so much cleaner with them! And here is another tip from the Netherlands, get other handlebars, and get in a more upright position( you're not riding in the Tour de France..). That is so much easier on you wrists and back...
I agree, I inherited this bike from my cousin, and it has the mudguards, yes, it’s heavier, but well worth it and the handlebars give huge grief to my wrists. If I had not inherited the bike, I doubt I would even be looking at bike packing, but after a couple of short trial runs in a couple of weeks, I had to Prince Edward Island for a weeklong trip and I appreciate all the assistance. I am learning from these sites.
Another great video..thank you invaluable!
You’re welcome!
Great video, thanks
Thanks. You’re welcome.
Great video. We are about to start a trans America trip and we are new to bike touring. This video was very helpful.
Awesome! Congrats on the Trans Am!!!
Very useful video - so important to know what to take and what not to take
I’m glad you found it useful. Knowing how to make makes these trip go so much smoother.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Good solid advice. My son and I bikepacked the C&O last year with mountain bikes and a 25-year-old trailer that he used to ride in when he was a toddler. My daughter and I have backpacked the last several years and much of that experience and equipment translated between the two types of excursions - a lot of which you have shared in this video, including color-coded dry bags! My son and I are again riding the C&O and the GAP the end of May. We are doing it this time with panniers and I upgraded to a gravel bike. It's appreciated having solid advise, without shouting at the camera, and showing that adventures are not all sunshine and butterflies. Keep riding!
That’s awesome. Keep me posted on your adventure in May. It’s gonna be a different ride with that setup. Have a blast! I can’t wait to do the GAP & C&O again. Thanks so much. I appreciate your compliments. I like to show people the way I would want someone to show me. Cheers! Happy trails!
Awesome video! I enjoyed seeing a setup that is capable of a many day (self supported too) journey that doesn't use bags on a front fork.
Have you given any thought to using a frame bag for some of your gear? I think that might be the move for my setup to stash items that are less frequently used or can be folded/squished flat.
If you have the luxury of credit carding/motel instead of camping, would you add any "luxuries" to take the space of your tent/sleeping/cooking stuff or just enjoy riding with lesser weight?
Great vids btw, keep 'em coming!
Actually my Ohio to Erie Trail Thru Ride was a credit card trip. I changed the setup completely and scrapped the rack and panniers and went with a seat post bag. So much LIGHTER! So my luxury was a way lighter biker. But if I were going pannier setup and hoteling, I’d pack more off bike clothes - sundress and strappy shoes! 💃🏻
Could you give some details on the bike racks you use and charging/battery packs. Looking for ideas as prep for C&O/Gap ride.
Sure I can. I just have a Bontrager Deluxe Back Rack. The key to getting a rack is finding one that works with exact bike, the connectors are strong enough for touring and it can carry the weight you plan to load on it.
I have an Anker Power Bank 325. There are several capacity options. Mines charges for at least 3 days on trail with charging everything. Check for new ones with a quicker charge time. I’ll upgrade to add a solar charger soon.
Have a blast on the GAP/C&O. I love those trails, so fun!
@@DeniseLookingOut Thank you for the info and sharing your adventures..
@@rwright8876 you’re welcome!
Excellent video! What size pannier’s are you using? TY
Hi Denise Denise!
Very helpful. Thank you. I may have missed it, but do you take a bike lock with you? If so, where do you carry it?
Glad you found it helpful. I usually carry a long rope key lock for myself or to lock up 2-3 bikes. I put it in my handlebar bag.
I plan to do the entire Ohio Erie trail and hotel hop and noticed I have about one third to half of the gear you had on that trip. Hydration and light snacks are important. Did you have any long gaps on the route with no water or places to eat?
So I only used a seat post bag and handlebar bag on the OTET. This full pannier setup was camping on the Katy trail. For OTET, I only took a change of on the bike clothes, of the bike clothes, rain gear, snacks, first aid kit and bike repair. There weren’t any crazy excessive sections on the OTET without food/water, tons of little towns. Between Columbus and London was sparse but that was it.
I must ask what kind of sandals are those? I just found your channel and they look so comfortable!
Thanks for watching. They’re just Sketchers. Super comfy and a good sole for flat pedal riding!
Great video, thanks! When you are off the bike and exploring towns and things, are you worried about anything being stolen? And how do you make sure it doesn't? Or am I just being paranoid? 😬
Thanks. I definitely worry about my bike and gear. If I’m traveling with friends, sometimes one will keep an eye out. I also always bring a long cable lock so I can take it through my panniers if needed. But sometime I don’t worry about. When solo, I just park in a very open spot or I’ve even been know to bring it into wherever I’m going. If you do a cable lock, go with the key kind. The combo locks are easy to break.
Great video. It’s amazing how much stuff will fit into the panniers.
@@dustysadventures I know right! That front Swift Industries Catalyst bag is also a forever expanding bag too.
Great vid, wondering what the total weight was bike and gear?
No idea. I presume I'm on the heavier side since I'm still accumulating lite gear and my bike is steel.
Thanks for the tips!
I seen your shirt, if you're from Louisville, my prayers are with you guys for the mass shooting today at the slanted roof office building, sorry don't know the name of it, how are these people families MISSING THAT SOMETHING IS "OFF" WITH THEM!?😢
Thanks and thank you for your thoughts. It’s just awful. Louisville is a small town kinda big city. We’ll make it through. For me, I’m not giving the person who did this a moment of attention. We lost 5 people. I’ll honor them. I hope other communities don’t experience this.
What kind of straps are the orange one in the video
Those are Voile Straps. They work great!
Awesome video!!
Do you have links to the items in your video?
I do not. But that is a good idea.
@@DeniseLookingOut Most definitely and you'll also get a small kickback if someone purchases anything from your links 🤔
@@shawnbrown1404 that would be awesome! Thanks.
What no kitchen sink?
I don't get it, you have raingear but no mudguards on you touring bike...Bike life is so much cleaner with them! And here is another tip from the Netherlands, get other handlebars, and get in a more upright position( you're not riding in the Tour de France..). That is so much easier on you wrists and back...
I agree, I inherited this bike from my cousin, and it has the mudguards, yes, it’s heavier, but well worth it and the handlebars give huge grief to my wrists. If I had not inherited the bike, I doubt I would even be looking at bike packing, but after a couple of short trial runs in a couple of weeks, I had to Prince Edward Island for a weeklong trip and I appreciate all the assistance. I am learning from these sites.