A medium or even a small microfiber towel works better than a regular one : it absorbs more water, it's lighter and dries faster. And it takes way less space in the bag.
tip: put some removable (painters) tape on all the surfaces where the bags attach, after al long ride, these can rub against the frame and damage the paint
Came here to this video hoping to find a recommendation for frame protection. What kind of type would you recommend that won't damage the finish on the frame when you pull the tape off? Any old painter's tape?
A tip based on my experience. I've fallen, had trees fall on me, axe accidents, knife accidents, sprayed ankle, ran out of water, gone without food for days, had ticks. In all those circumstances, an off-the-shelf first aid kit is not the answer. It gives a false sense of security, which can be dangerous. They're also a clutter. What they provide is often solutions for accidents so minor, you can survive fine without them. A tiny compressor wont stop a gushing flesh wound. My suggestion: 1.Take courses by professionals. 2. Research the most common accidents for your activity/area, and pack accordingly. 3. Consult with search and rescue for preventative measures and items they commonly use. 4. Make your own gear as simple as possible and learn how to use them blindfolded. For me it's a satellite com. and SAMsplint to treat moderate accidents and fractures, respectively. If it's hot, I'll add a pack of sodium, purification and sugar. If it's arctic, the list extends exponentially. It's easier to prevent accidents, than respond to them in fog and friction. Stay safe and smart.
Always - I brought my bike bag (a convertible backpack/pannier) on a kayaking trip recently and discovered I was the only person who thought to bring a first aid kit. People raided that thing haha
@@alexmiller1658 ha yes it's generally an oversight where cyclists will do the upmost to check thier bikes can be fixed but might need an antiseptic wipe/painkillers / plasters for themselves on the roadside.
@@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1 exactly, my kit is pretty spartan ( just some bandages, gauze, antiseptic, and a small bottle of aspirin) but I also live in the middle of a city so my rides rarely take me terribly far from civilization
One of the things that got me into cycling was a 4 day trip along the C2C with mates, on a 'mountain' bike I paid £99 for, from a local hardware store. I weighed almost 20st at the time. It almost killed me, and I loved it - I've never looked back.
I began on a solo bikepacking trip 2 years ago after watching si's bikepacking video in Morocco and the beautiful shots of alta badia in GCN. So there I went alone, to Italy on a 7 days trip. Made many mistakes as a newbie but I loved it. On the 2nd trip I had 2 friends joining after seeing my instagram posts. Now just wondering when can we ever go again.
A welder and bike rider, I brazed eyelets onto my Serotta steel frame. This Spring I'll replace the cranks for triple...and etcetera, to make a touring bike. My first 'touring bike' was a 1960s Cinelli racing frame. I rode it all across Europe and North Africa in 1974.
I'd like a video where they roll into a camp area, set up camp, demo everything significant. Then in the morning show the camp being broke down and repacked. Then a nice ride off into the sunrise..
I really recommend, for your safety, to use a rear mirror to keep track of the traffic from behind. I use a Zéfal Z Eye that I fix on the helmet, and it has been very useful on my bike packing rides in Japan, New Zealand, the US and in Europe (France and Germany).
Good video, excellent tips. Last year I did the LEJOG ride in the UK and one extra tip, put some clear sticky backed plastic on your frame at the points your frame bags attach otherwise when you finish the adventure the frame will be scratched from the continual rubbing, especially if it rains and the road grime acts like a gritty paste. Planning subject to COVID to ride Nice Paris, retracing some of Conor’s route later this year.
Just went on my first "bike adventure" since getting my Centurian road bike a few weeks back. I rode from my town to another town west of us and back. Round trip it was 51 miles. It was the longest ride I've ever been on and I loved every minute of it.
lug several more kilos of pork would not be a problem, family would appreciate a barbecue at night while the one who rides it during the day would be too tired to have dinner and sleep straight away
This is in all seriousness a very good point. I mostly do my adventure tours with a dedicated, heavier bike. But I recently contemplated to fit the bags that I've used with it to my roadbike, if I'd like to do a faster tour where I would need some stuff with me, but not so much. However, the frame of my road bike is a bit smaller. The end result was that the frame bag was a bit too large for the frame and the front wheel had very little clearance to the handlebar bag. Sure, I could get smaller bags for that bike, but that costs money too.
@@pinjaliina even if you do get smaller bags, you might not have space for all you need. With a 9 liter bag on the handlebar, no frame bag, and a 17 liter "arse rocket" (that's apparently what the Germans call saddle bags) I have a hard time fitting much more than some spare clothes and some tools. It works if I sleep at hotels, but not so much otherwise.
I've been using a Burley Coho XC trailer with my Scott Foil road bike...the only mod required is to change the rear wheel skewer and voila! With this setup, I can pull up to 25 kg of stuff: tent, sleeping bags, mattresses, stove (and cooking implements) as well as food. I even have small camping chairs in the mix.
I recently bought Garmin Varia and honestly this in my point of view excellent safety device: warn you when a car is approaching and especially with multiple cars are coming. The light also change flickering when the car approach which increase visibility.
Great video Connor. Great advice for anyone looking to have a bike adventure. All the tips are clearly from someone with bike-packing experience. My best advice is the take a mate with you. The miles go quicker and the beer tastes better.
Good video. My tip is to reduce your off-bike kit, before buying bags. For about 200$, I'm under a 1kg for my entire sleep and kitchen system. When that's your base weight, everything is so much easier, faster, comfortable, lighter. Sleep & shelter Klymit x lite (150g) Borah gear silnylo tarp (220g) 60$ McKinley sleeping bag. (600g) Cold soaking kitchen Peanut butter-/ice cream jar (30g) Fast food restaurant spoon (2g) That's it. You're good to go.
Tri bags (behind the stem) are another good place for food or electronics. I find my knees hit the bag so put it at the back, towards the seat post. Cheap ways to save weight/space; small microfiber towel rather than full size. If you don't have bags with a bleed valve roll items as tightly as possible.
i travel with a hybrid tandem bike with my girlfriend , front pannier (30L total ) , rear one (50L) , a extensible frame bag (about 8L/10L) a handle bar bag (about 10L) , on the top of the rear panier a isolated lunch bag , plus a child trailer equiped with a handle bar bag suspended on the rear handle(a nordic cab i have , lots of storage , solid as a rock) with 2 kids with the large 4 person tent in it !! matresses , sleeping bag , spares , baby bottles and tools . hehe i love it ! i got a lot of people staring at us haha.
Thank you for some great ideas. An overnight BP adventure is def in my plans as soon as our southern USA weather cools a bit. I’m currently building a budget hybrid bike specifically for this purpose. The build (my first, gratis of GCN tech tips) is as much of an adventure as the ride will be.
First aid and water; both key for camping generally. Or if there are rivers or other sources of fresh water available, a sawyer mini is a great, compact water filter. What do you do with your bike when you’re camping? Do you leave it out in the open with a bike lock? Also, does it need some protection from the elements (e.g. draping it with a tarp)?
First aid kit. I see people mention it. I don't read any experiences where it has been decisive in a serious situation. I find the off the shelf stuff useless. What problems it may solve are either so minor, or not specific for your travel context, that I consider it not worth having. In fact, it provides a dangerous false sense of security. You take extra risks. Additionally, extra clutter that slows you down and mitigates your moral when it fails. If it's for minor inconveniences, like a mosquito bite, sure. It's great. If prevention of actual life threatening scenarios, in my experience, it's more a hindrance.
Absolutely agree with you. First aid kit has to be proportionate and relevant. I did a 40mile round hike with a camp in Epping Forest last weekend; my first aid kit consisted solely of paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory - anything more would have been a waste, cos I was taking no risks and help was so close to hand. When I went to a more remote area with the intention of doing some bushcraft a few months ago, I took some bandages in case my knife slipped (plus a couple of extra things). Point is, like you say, the first aid kit has to be relevant, otherwise you’re just wasting energy.
MTB/Hybrid/gravel bike means road and trails can be used...esp if you get fed up with cars. Also waterway trails are so amazing eg Thames Path and canals
Amazing video... planning a circumnavigation of Uganda on a bike. Thought I really needed a touring or bike packing bike. Now i know a decent well set up road or even mtb can do the job just as well. Fortunately not planning to load tonnes of bags for the trip
The most obvious things missed in this vid: 1) First aid kit 2) Extra sun screen 3) Practice repairs and make sure you have the right tools. Removing the rear sprocket? Remove/replace a spoke? These are easy if you know what you're doing, but devastating if you don't have the knowledge or tools. 4) CO2 cartridge for a quick fix as alternative to mini pump (for clinchers) 5) Check TH-cam for videos on solo camping for much better tips on packing, weight reduction, gear, and protection from the elements.
Don’t forget some aloe Vera in the event you do get sunburned! It’ll help soothe your tired and burned skin. It’s also good for healing cuts if you mix it with honey. In a pinch, aloe Vera could work like chapstick.
Good tools and repair skillsis a great tip, but in my experience, first aid kits are generally useless for the uninitiated. First aid kits are like buying cheap all-in-one tool sets for building a house. Or, like buying a mylar, and assuming it will make you warm (it reflects warmth, it doesn't create warmth). Or, like trying to light a fire for the first time in a storm. It might deal with a minor cut, but if your life is in actual danger, it's more a waste of time. It creates a false sense of security, like buying a defect helmet. You think you're safer than you are. Ergo, take more risks. Once the shit hits the fan, when you're running on adrenaline rushed autopilot, what you need is good training and a kit designed specifically for the context of your trip.
I just toured the northern California coast on a full touring bike. I did the lost coast portion and I was wishing that I had packed much lighter and was riding a lighter bike. I like the setup you described and I will try it out soon on my Serotta Legend Ti. I think I can squeeze on some 700x32 tires and I already have a compact crank. Nothing can be done about the rim brakes, but there is very little rain here in California for most of the year anyway. Thanks for the inspiration...
Hi, thanks for the vid! Very useful! I'm planning a 600m ride on my own, in a tent, May 2021, never done it before. All possible information is appreciated 👍
One very important item to take with you is a spare derailleur hanger. If it’s broken, the trip is done and a local bike shop probably won’t be able to help you as those derailleur hangers are proprietary for the model and the shop might not have the correct hanger for your bike.
I run an entry level roadbike but much like yours, it's built without all the mounts and structures for mounting hardware. I run a similar setup with a bag front (bars), middle, and back but mostly to carry everything I need for work. I did take the rig to my honeymoon though! And fixed up my wife's bicycle to manage the same. Still... A long ride would be great right about now. We're both doctors and we desperately need a vacation. Revisiting this video precisely cause of such thoughts. We won't get to do much of these things for a while but.. I can't wait!Great suggestions. Would you suggest switching the forks to one with mounts? Favorite presenter! Keep 'em coming :) Oh and yes, as other commenters said, your bike is huge!
You mentioned lots of good tips but I have a few! It’s always good to take an old fashioned paper map & compass in case you can’t get GPS or the connectivity is bad. I have cycled through dense forests and it’s not good! Plus at the end of each day it’s fascinating to know how far you have cycled! I must be the only person in the world to wear a camel rucksack 🎒 when cycling but its a great way to drink frequently and more safely than from a bottle. Also, on treacherous roads if you fall off it provides additional protection for your spine + gives an extra workout for your abdominals!!
You need a way of separating wet clothes (and that vast towel) from dry, otherwise you'll get really miserable every time it rains. Also, I'd opt for dynamo-based lighting that can be controlled from the front without getting off the bike. It'll also provide charging facilities for phones and allow you to ride with your GPS backlight switched on all night. What I used to do, too, was to mount one of those cheap stretchy rearlights on the bars, facing backwards, to illuminate my transmission and bottle cages if needed. And mount a light on your plastic hat to read signposts - preferably one that will switch between red and white, the red being for reading maps etc at dead of night when you don't want to destroy your night vision.
this video is sheer awesomeness. Added it to my bookmarks for future reference. Why don't trekking bikes get more love at GCN? They have everything for long distance travelling. I got a road bike with flat bards (and bar ends for comfort) street fighter style, 'cos I prefer flat bars to drop bars. Also I find typical road or gravel bikes devoid of enough easy gears. Light trekking bikes exist and they are 1X drivetrain (my fav) while having similar cassettes compared to MTBs, so you can find trekking bikes with 11-46T or 11-51T sprockets. The Riverside 920 from Decathlon and the Canyon Roadlite 6 (gorgeous bike) are very good examples of fine trekking bikes. You can fit almost any kind of tyre on those, too, from 35mm slicks to 38mm gravel, etc, and they look like a road bike, mostly, so they are still graceful and beautiful.
Thanks, Conor. Excellent topic for discussion -- road bikes for bikecamping. I suppose if you're packed for an extended trip, a proper touring bike would be preferable. But, for up to a week or two, I think a road bike would be just fine if you're sticking to roads.
I've also started bringing Velcro strips, rubber accessory bands and one or two extras of any nuts or bolts that might work lose. One of those accessory bands saved me from having to unmount my camera recently.
Ive been on a bike adventure and i still can get over it, It took place a year ago back there inUK I was determined, I had no bike and no bags just and a small budget and 10 days off in my agenda, I manage to find a borrow road bike put some 28 'fat' rubbers, buy some bags (topeak) and a sleeping bag, mark some spots for stop and I cross UK Coast to Coast and back in the wide way possible, from Swansea Wales going and knocking the doors of GCN in Bristol and Bath to Oxfor and Cambridge, all the way to Ipswich an further more, the Up to Norwich and back but before I move up to Yorkshire every day a 150 km day for a 1500 km ride adventure I took roads paths and gravel sections I sleep outdoors as in some nice bed and break fast that I find along the way... you should try it Connor take a small budget 2 bags and try to go as further and unknown you can go, because in my case, I was a Colombian touring /bikepacking across a new place every day.
in 2020 I adapted my roadbike merida scultura disc for an 8 days adventure over the Alps to the mediteranean sea, it was AMAZING! Konstanz -> Genova, over Passo di Lucomanio, Locarno, Lugano, Como, Milano -> Genova
Just back from a week bikepacking the Netherlands a 985Km route. Originally the idea was to cycle to my in-laws in Sweden from here in Brussels - but COVID kyboshed that idea. I still wanted to use the route I'd planned as much as possible, so used much of it to tour the Netherlands and just skipped the Germany and Sweden bits. I had a fantastic time and I'd thoroughly recommend multiday bikepacking to anyone. A bit of extra advice though I could now add - in these COVID pandemic times it's a REALLY good idea to check ahead if any ferries on your route are indeed running (painful experience of long detours for 2 such cancelled ferrires on my route...)
I always ride with padded underwear but with regular sports clothing over it that looks good off the bike too. Use a topeak anywhere holder to put an extra water bottle on the downtube in front of the bottom bracket. There are also solutions to mount something on the forklegs (even without bosses) and the chainstays. Might be necessary when camping and to avoid a big heavy backpack. I use my phone for navigation, komoot runs via an app too. In addition you can make pictures too, use google pay, check the weather and you could even make phonecalls 😅 Hardcore bikepackers have a dynamohub in the front wheel. I charge my phone and camera with it and can be away from any wall sockets as long as I want 😁
I rode a multi day in the hills using a 30 litre back pack, and a side pocket from an old Lowe pack strapped under a pair of tri-bars. Didn't take a stove but camped out in a one man tent and ate at cafes of an evening. When away from civilisation I ate food that didn't need cooking such as canned salmon etc.
Id recommend bringing 2 powerbanks, so you can charge one while you use the other one. For example on a trip I stayed at a lot of campsites, so I had to hand one over to charge over night.
Couldn't you just charge your device with the rest of the power bank battery before arriving at the campsite? Carrying an extra power bank seems like such a waste unless you actually positively absolutely have to have a higher battery capacity.
@@Minecraftrok999 Even if you charge your phone before you get to the campsite, if you hand over your powerbank to charge at 6pm, then you use your phone after that it will be using power, so the phone will not be full the next morning. If you have 2 powerbanks, you basically always have one to charge with if you want, plus the extra battery capacity.
Recommend couple small powerbanks instear large one. They charge themself faster and can do it simultaneously. More easy to predict how much electricity you actually have, also a failsafe option.
Part of the adventure, if you are going a distance, is being dirty and salty. Makes jumping in a puddle more fun. 😀 Don’t forget your extension cord. Wow so many electronics.
I suggest a tiny lightweight tent and a tarp to put over your bike and bags overnight. No stove needed though, just have cold food in the evenings and stop in cafes for a cooked lunch. Also important to distribute weight so it’s balanced front to back or the steering gets really light
Great video overall. I found the bike spare parts especially useful. I am thinking of going on a bike packing trip soon and was really worried about the possibility of a spoke or multiple ones braking. Especially with the added load.
It's always good to have spares - it's a trade off between taking absolutely everything and having a set up that's not too heavy - depends on the adventure I guess!
Nice job Conor! Where I live I’m unfortunately restricted to day rides sadly, but lonnnng day rides if I can manage it. Always enjoy seeing the Irish countryside in your videos. I miss home!
Unless I missed it, you don't seem to have mentioned fenders (mud guards). Fenders are absolutely essential on overnight bicycle trips, especially in the Pacific Northwest, or, apparently, the UK.
Good Video. Since GCN is showing so much on Bikepacking in the past and right now, why don't you try to cover some of the popular races in Europe? The Threepeaksbikerace was/is recent, French Decide, Badlands, Tuscany Trail, Holy Gravel etc. There's a ton of races every season. Would be nice to see you tackle those ;)
What about a lock? If you travel multiple days at some point you’ll step off your bike and go shopping or sightseeing. How do you safely lock your bike then?
Wheel and tyre choice: tubeless wheelset and tyres all the way, plus a tubeless tyre plug kit. By doing so one will have less risk of delay due to punctures (save major sidewall cut, and very big impact puncture which tyre sealant and tubeless tyre plug kit combo fail to seal). By doing so doesn’t mean negating the need of taking spare inner tube and puncture repair kit altogether, just that you can carry one to two inner tube(s), depending on the length of the trip, as the very last resort
You may also want to think about enjoying your time off of your bike, such as by having shoes that you can easily walk in. And a little stove for hot drinks. Or is the point to stay on the bike for 16 hours of every 24?
A back up battery rear light is a good idea. Bit extra weight, but you can buy AA or AA batteries almost anywhere in the world I would think. Heading out on a trip in a week. About 1200K in 10 days. My legs and bum hurt already.🙄
One tip, you dont need a big towel, get a small microfiber towel, it takes a fraction of the room and absorbs a lot of moisture. Bonus tip, get a tailfin.
Hi, would have been nice to see if these packs would fit on a smaller bike, i.e. would Manon be able to ride her bike with these on. I am over 6 foot and have struggled with frame bags getting in the way of peddling and access to bottles.
Some great tips here Conor and also in the comments section. I’ve only been on one big 3 day trip where my buddies and I cycled from Tokyo to the alps, then completed a gran Fondo on the 3rd day. Needless to say I took the train back. Definitely recommend wider tyres, disc brakes as well a a wide range cassette. My cassette is 11-46, and I still had to push the bike on one big mountain at end of day. Enjoy the journey not just focus on getting to your destination. th-cam.com/video/UUk7vxg2U-A/w-d-xo.html.
A medium or even a small microfiber towel works better than a regular one : it absorbs more water, it's lighter and dries faster.
And it takes way less space in the bag.
Yup, a camping towel is perfect as they are designed to dry out super fast.
That's what I use.
Great tip, thank you!
@@n1lla But extremely unhygienic. Safer, cleaner, and better off not washing than using a micro towel.
@@Chris66able
Seriously?
Could you elaborate why that's the case please?
tip: put some removable (painters) tape on all the surfaces where the bags attach, after al long ride, these can rub against the frame and damage the paint
Came here to this video hoping to find a recommendation for frame protection. What kind of type would you recommend that won't damage the finish on the frame when you pull the tape off? Any old painter's tape?
@@jaredlash5002 bike frame protector tape, suppose to protect from that
Plus you can use some tape for emergency repairs
A first aid kit is must, even a basic one is worth having. And sun bloc!
A tip based on my experience. I've fallen, had trees fall on me, axe accidents, knife accidents, sprayed ankle, ran out of water, gone without food for days, had ticks. In all those circumstances, an off-the-shelf first aid kit is not the answer. It gives a false sense of security, which can be dangerous. They're also a clutter. What they provide is often solutions for accidents so minor, you can survive fine without them. A tiny compressor wont stop a gushing flesh wound.
My suggestion:
1.Take courses by professionals.
2. Research the most common accidents for your activity/area, and pack accordingly.
3. Consult with search and rescue for preventative measures and items they commonly use.
4. Make your own gear as simple as possible and learn how to use them blindfolded.
For me it's a satellite com. and SAMsplint to treat moderate accidents and fractures, respectively. If it's hot, I'll add a pack of sodium, purification and sugar. If it's arctic, the list extends exponentially.
It's easier to prevent accidents, than respond to them in fog and friction. Stay safe and smart.
Yes, and a pair of tampons surely
Pack a first aid kit too👍
Always - I brought my bike bag (a convertible backpack/pannier) on a kayaking trip recently and discovered I was the only person who thought to bring a first aid kit. People raided that thing haha
@@alexmiller1658 ha yes it's generally an oversight where cyclists will do the upmost to check thier bikes can be fixed but might need an antiseptic wipe/painkillers / plasters for themselves on the roadside.
@@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1 exactly, my kit is pretty spartan ( just some bandages, gauze, antiseptic, and a small bottle of aspirin) but I also live in the middle of a city so my rides rarely take me terribly far from civilization
Good call, at the very least a roll of leukotape
Definitely don’t forget to pack pepto pills, Imodium, some sort of headache relief, Benadryl and liquid bandage.
I like how he just embraced his dog into the shot rather than shooing it away, very cute
He does the same with brother in law Nigel too. Very sweet.
Yeah Conor's dog was having a "ruff!" day.
One of the things that got me into cycling was a 4 day trip along the C2C with mates, on a 'mountain' bike I paid £99 for, from a local hardware store. I weighed almost 20st at the time. It almost killed me, and I loved it - I've never looked back.
I began on a solo bikepacking trip 2 years ago after watching si's bikepacking video in Morocco and the beautiful shots of alta badia in GCN. So there I went alone, to Italy on a 7 days trip. Made many mistakes as a newbie but I loved it. On the 2nd trip I had 2 friends joining after seeing my instagram posts. Now just wondering when can we ever go again.
A welder and bike rider, I brazed eyelets onto my Serotta steel frame. This Spring I'll replace the cranks for triple...and etcetera, to make a touring bike. My first 'touring bike' was a 1960s Cinelli racing frame. I rode it all across Europe and North Africa in 1974.
I'd like a video where they roll into a camp area, set up camp, demo everything significant. Then in the morning show the camp being broke down and repacked. Then a nice ride off into the sunrise..
I really recommend, for your safety, to use a rear mirror to keep track of the traffic from behind. I use a Zéfal Z Eye that I fix on the helmet, and it has been very useful on my bike packing rides in Japan, New Zealand, the US and in Europe (France and Germany).
Good video, excellent tips. Last year I did the LEJOG ride in the UK and one extra tip, put some clear sticky backed plastic on your frame at the points your frame bags attach otherwise when you finish the adventure the frame will be scratched from the continual rubbing, especially if it rains and the road grime acts like a gritty paste. Planning subject to COVID to ride Nice Paris, retracing some of Conor’s route later this year.
All Mountain Style Honeycomb Bike Guard products can do the trick (and much more durable)-exactly what I do for my gravel bike
Also consider mud guards for both muddy days and goose poop. I hope I never taste goose poop again.
Just went on my first "bike adventure" since getting my Centurian road bike a few weeks back. I rode from my town to another town west of us and back. Round trip it was 51 miles. It was the longest ride I've ever been on and I loved every minute of it.
Awesome, sounds brilliant. Congratulations on the longest ride!!! GREAT feeling
Thank you for the motivation!
Now I feel like going bike packing. Staying home for so long since lockdown is reaaaly boring!😊
Good on you for actually staying home tho! Sad that we have to say that.
Me too.. can't wait for the next adventure. Thanks for watching! Conor
Conor's bike is so big, he could fit a whole family tent in his frame 😅
lug several more kilos of pork would not be a problem, family would appreciate a barbecue at night while the one who rides it during the day would be too tired to have dinner and sleep straight away
I definitely agree. I ride a size small frame and most bag manufacturers don't make a frame bag small enough to fit!
This is in all seriousness a very good point. I mostly do my adventure tours with a dedicated, heavier bike. But I recently contemplated to fit the bags that I've used with it to my roadbike, if I'd like to do a faster tour where I would need some stuff with me, but not so much. However, the frame of my road bike is a bit smaller. The end result was that the frame bag was a bit too large for the frame and the front wheel had very little clearance to the handlebar bag. Sure, I could get smaller bags for that bike, but that costs money too.
Don't tell Stacey this haha, I'll end up carrying everything...
@@pinjaliina even if you do get smaller bags, you might not have space for all you need. With a 9 liter bag on the handlebar, no frame bag, and a 17 liter "arse rocket" (that's apparently what the Germans call saddle bags) I have a hard time fitting much more than some spare clothes and some tools. It works if I sleep at hotels, but not so much otherwise.
Just came back from a 4 day trip in Northumberland. Love a bit of bike packing! Great vid!
Pro Tip: Swap the food for some carbon. It's lighter AND its carbon - the stuff life is made of. think about it...
Ive seen a lot of carbon shreaded accidents so aluminum or steel...for me.
@@whodispuresouls7758 I think carbon is good for racing only, Steel and alloy or titanium are light enough just to gain speed around 30-50 km/h
@@Quill13 agreed..I Ride for distance not high speed...carbon isn't safe or economical for me..
Eat it with water and bam, instant carbohydrates
I've been using a Burley Coho XC trailer with my Scott Foil road bike...the only mod required is to change the rear wheel skewer and voila!
With this setup, I can pull up to 25 kg of stuff: tent, sleeping bags, mattresses, stove (and cooking implements) as well as food. I even have small camping chairs in the mix.
I recently bought Garmin Varia and honestly this in my point of view excellent safety device: warn you when a car is approaching and especially with multiple cars are coming. The light also change flickering when the car approach which increase visibility.
Great video Connor. Great advice for anyone looking to have a bike adventure. All the tips are clearly from someone with bike-packing experience. My best advice is the take a mate with you. The miles go quicker and the beer tastes better.
Cycling the welsh coastal path in a weeks time, can’t wait! Very useful information thank you
Good video.
My tip is to reduce your off-bike kit, before buying bags. For about 200$, I'm under a 1kg for my entire sleep and kitchen system. When that's your base weight, everything is so much easier, faster, comfortable, lighter.
Sleep & shelter
Klymit x lite (150g)
Borah gear silnylo tarp (220g)
60$ McKinley sleeping bag. (600g)
Cold soaking kitchen
Peanut butter-/ice cream jar (30g)
Fast food restaurant spoon (2g)
That's it. You're good to go.
dont forget the 8000g for the rider!, let some air out of your tyres to save dragging all these extra ug of air up those hills.
I solved the wider tire issue by just doing the journey with a fat bike. Those 4.8" are unstoppable!
You always need a sunscreen when going for a long ride. You don't want to get burned!
And if your riding carbon your bike needs sunscreen.
An alternative to sun screen is long sleeve and linen (pants). Putting on sunscreen for a can be a messy hassle when on long rides.
Tri bags (behind the stem) are another good place for food or electronics. I find my knees hit the bag so put it at the back, towards the seat post.
Cheap ways to save weight/space; small microfiber towel rather than full size. If you don't have bags with a bleed valve roll items as tightly as possible.
i travel with a hybrid tandem bike with my girlfriend , front pannier (30L total ) , rear one (50L) , a extensible frame bag (about 8L/10L) a handle bar bag (about 10L) , on the top of the rear panier a isolated lunch bag , plus a child trailer equiped with a handle bar bag suspended on the rear handle(a nordic cab i have , lots of storage , solid as a rock) with 2 kids with the large 4 person tent in it !! matresses , sleeping bag , spares , baby bottles and tools . hehe i love it ! i got a lot of people staring at us haha.
I've never done a multi day, just long 1 day rides. Totally want to someday!
GCN always knows what I'm up to. It was haw the case previously and is now, while I'm preparing for a lakes tour in Austria :)
Thank you for some great ideas. An overnight BP adventure is def in my plans as soon as our southern USA weather cools a bit.
I’m currently building a budget hybrid bike specifically for this purpose. The build (my first, gratis of GCN tech tips) is as much of an adventure as the ride will be.
First aid and water; both key for camping generally. Or if there are rivers or other sources of fresh water available, a sawyer mini is a great, compact water filter. What do you do with your bike when you’re camping? Do you leave it out in the open with a bike lock? Also, does it need some protection from the elements (e.g. draping it with a tarp)?
First aid kit. I see people mention it. I don't read any experiences where it has been decisive in a serious situation.
I find the off the shelf stuff useless. What problems it may solve are either so minor, or not specific for your travel context, that I consider it not worth having. In fact, it provides a dangerous false sense of security. You take extra risks. Additionally, extra clutter that slows you down and mitigates your moral when it fails. If it's for minor inconveniences, like a mosquito bite, sure. It's great. If prevention of actual life threatening scenarios, in my experience, it's more a hindrance.
Absolutely agree with you. First aid kit has to be proportionate and relevant. I did a 40mile round hike with a camp in Epping Forest last weekend; my first aid kit consisted solely of paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory - anything more would have been a waste, cos I was taking no risks and help was so close to hand. When I went to a more remote area with the intention of doing some bushcraft a few months ago, I took some bandages in case my knife slipped (plus a couple of extra things). Point is, like you say, the first aid kit has to be relevant, otherwise you’re just wasting energy.
MTB/Hybrid/gravel bike means road and trails can be used...esp if you get fed up with cars. Also waterway trails are so amazing eg Thames Path and canals
Amazing video... planning a circumnavigation of Uganda on a bike. Thought I really needed a touring or bike packing bike. Now i know a decent well set up road or even mtb can do the job just as well. Fortunately not planning to load tonnes of bags for the trip
The most obvious things missed in this vid:
1) First aid kit
2) Extra sun screen
3) Practice repairs and make sure you have the right tools. Removing the rear sprocket? Remove/replace a spoke? These are easy if you know what you're doing, but devastating if you don't have the knowledge or tools.
4) CO2 cartridge for a quick fix as alternative to mini pump (for clinchers)
5) Check TH-cam for videos on solo camping for much better tips on packing, weight reduction, gear, and protection from the elements.
Don’t forget some aloe Vera in the event you do get sunburned! It’ll help soothe your tired and burned skin. It’s also good for healing cuts if you mix it with honey. In a pinch, aloe Vera could work like chapstick.
Good tools and repair skillsis a great tip, but in my experience, first aid kits are generally useless for the uninitiated.
First aid kits are like buying cheap all-in-one tool sets for building a house. Or, like buying a mylar, and assuming it will make you warm (it reflects warmth, it doesn't create warmth). Or, like trying to light a fire for the first time in a storm. It might deal with a minor cut, but if your life is in actual danger, it's more a waste of time. It creates a false sense of security, like buying a defect helmet. You think you're safer than you are. Ergo, take more risks.
Once the shit hits the fan, when you're running on adrenaline rushed autopilot, what you need is good training and a kit designed specifically for the context of your trip.
What's the point in a sleeping bag without a mat or a tent? For your hotel room?
Santi Andres Good point, unless you are bicycling in a pine forest. Needles are more comfy than they sound.
True. Also beach pebbles are surprisingly comfortable with just a bag.@@peterhewitt7247
I just toured the northern California coast on a full touring bike. I did the lost coast portion and I was wishing that I had packed much lighter and was riding a lighter bike. I like the setup you described and I will try it out soon on my Serotta Legend Ti. I think I can squeeze on some 700x32 tires and I already have a compact crank. Nothing can be done about the rim brakes, but there is very little rain here in California for most of the year anyway. Thanks for the inspiration...
Hi, thanks for the vid! Very useful! I'm planning a 600m ride on my own, in a tent, May 2021, never done it before. All possible information is appreciated 👍
One very important item to take with you is a spare derailleur hanger. If it’s broken, the trip is done and a local bike shop probably won’t be able to help you as those derailleur hangers are proprietary for the model and the shop might not have the correct hanger for your bike.
not necessary if you know what you are doing
I run an entry level roadbike but much like yours, it's built without all the mounts and structures for mounting hardware. I run a similar setup with a bag front (bars), middle, and back but mostly to carry everything I need for work. I did take the rig to my honeymoon though! And fixed up my wife's bicycle to manage the same. Still... A long ride would be great right about now. We're both doctors and we desperately need a vacation. Revisiting this video precisely cause of such thoughts. We won't get to do much of these things for a while but.. I can't wait!Great suggestions.
Would you suggest switching the forks to one with mounts? Favorite presenter! Keep 'em coming :) Oh and yes, as other commenters said, your bike is huge!
You mentioned lots of good tips but I have a few! It’s always good to take an old fashioned paper map & compass in case you can’t get GPS or the connectivity is bad. I have cycled through dense forests and it’s not good! Plus at the end of each day it’s fascinating to know how far you have cycled! I must be the only person in the world to wear a camel rucksack 🎒 when cycling but its a great way to drink frequently and more safely than from a bottle. Also, on treacherous roads if you fall off it provides additional protection for your spine + gives an extra workout for your abdominals!!
You need a way of separating wet clothes (and that vast towel) from dry, otherwise you'll get really miserable every time it rains. Also, I'd opt for dynamo-based lighting that can be controlled from the front without getting off the bike. It'll also provide charging facilities for phones and allow you to ride with your GPS backlight switched on all night. What I used to do, too, was to mount one of those cheap stretchy rearlights on the bars, facing backwards, to illuminate my transmission and bottle cages if needed. And mount a light on your plastic hat to read signposts - preferably one that will switch between red and white, the red being for reading maps etc at dead of night when you don't want to destroy your night vision.
Thanks for the video, planning my first bike backing trip
this video is sheer awesomeness. Added it to my bookmarks for future reference. Why don't trekking bikes get more love at GCN? They have everything for long distance travelling. I got a road bike with flat bards (and bar ends for comfort) street fighter style, 'cos I prefer flat bars to drop bars. Also I find typical road or gravel bikes devoid of enough easy gears. Light trekking bikes exist and they are 1X drivetrain (my fav) while having similar cassettes compared to MTBs, so you can find trekking bikes with 11-46T or 11-51T sprockets. The Riverside 920 from Decathlon and the Canyon Roadlite 6 (gorgeous bike) are very good examples of fine trekking bikes. You can fit almost any kind of tyre on those, too, from 35mm slicks to 38mm gravel, etc, and they look like a road bike, mostly, so they are still graceful and beautiful.
Thanks, Conor. Excellent topic for discussion -- road bikes for bikecamping. I suppose if you're packed for an extended trip, a proper touring bike would be preferable. But, for up to a week or two, I think a road bike would be just fine if you're sticking to roads.
Good tip on the Cable Ties! I usually take a couple on short rides 👌👌👑
I've also started bringing Velcro strips, rubber accessory bands and one or two extras of any nuts or bolts that might work lose. One of those accessory bands saved me from having to unmount my camera recently.
Lance Gundersen Oooooo good shout 👌👌👏
Ive been on a bike adventure and i still can get over it, It took place a year ago back there inUK I was determined, I had no bike and no bags just and a small budget and 10 days off in my agenda, I manage to find a borrow road bike put some 28 'fat' rubbers, buy some bags (topeak) and a sleeping bag, mark some spots for stop and I cross UK Coast to Coast and back in the wide way possible, from Swansea Wales going and knocking the doors of GCN in Bristol and Bath to Oxfor and Cambridge, all the way to Ipswich an further more, the Up to Norwich and back but before I move up to Yorkshire every day a 150 km day for a 1500 km ride adventure I took roads paths and gravel sections I sleep outdoors as in some nice bed and break fast that I find along the way... you should try it Connor take a small budget 2 bags and try to go as further and unknown you can go, because in my case, I was a Colombian touring /bikepacking across a new place every day.
in 2020 I adapted my roadbike merida scultura disc for an 8 days adventure over the Alps to the mediteranean sea, it was AMAZING! Konstanz -> Genova, over Passo di Lucomanio, Locarno, Lugano, Como, Milano -> Genova
Easy when you've got a frame that size, not so easy for us vertically challenged with a small frame when it comes to a frame bag anyway.
Lmao get a trailer
Seeeeeeriously, try finding a handlebar bag that'll fit in a size 36 😂
That’s where a bike rack comes in handy so you can use two panniers
A rack and panniers have twice the capacity of those frame bags, they’ve just fell out of style for some reason.
I've been waiting for this video to come out, thanks GCN!
Thanks for watching!!
nice one Conor! right timing I'm thinking to use my road bike as a touring bike but I'm having doubts! you convince me to give it a go :) Thanks
A one-stop channel for all my bike-related queries!
Just back from a week bikepacking the Netherlands a 985Km route. Originally the idea was to cycle to my in-laws in Sweden from here in Brussels - but COVID kyboshed that idea. I still wanted to use the route I'd planned as much as possible, so used much of it to tour the Netherlands and just skipped the Germany and Sweden bits. I had a fantastic time and I'd thoroughly recommend multiday bikepacking to anyone. A bit of extra advice though I could now add - in these COVID pandemic times it's a REALLY good idea to check ahead if any ferries on your route are indeed running (painful experience of long detours for 2 such cancelled ferrires on my route...)
the best thing about being a tall rider is all the frame space ahhhh
Prepping for my first one. Super excited!
Thanks, the pieces of information consisted of everything.
I always ride with padded underwear but with regular sports clothing over it that looks good off the bike too.
Use a topeak anywhere holder to put an extra water bottle on the downtube in front of the bottom bracket.
There are also solutions to mount something on the forklegs (even without bosses) and the chainstays. Might be necessary when camping and to avoid a big heavy backpack.
I use my phone for navigation, komoot runs via an app too. In addition you can make pictures too, use google pay, check the weather and you could even make phonecalls 😅
Hardcore bikepackers have a dynamohub in the front wheel. I charge my phone and camera with it and can be away from any wall sockets as long as I want 😁
Get some Xero shoes or sandals! They pack great and are super light.
There are pannier racks designed to mount to the QR bolt and brake mount which the Pinarello seems to have.
Such a helpful video. I think I’m nearly ready for my first big trip very soon. Thanks again GCN!!
I rode a multi day in the hills using a 30 litre back pack, and a side pocket from an old Lowe pack strapped under a pair of tri-bars. Didn't take a stove but camped out in a one man tent and ate at cafes of an evening. When away from civilisation I ate food that didn't need cooking such as canned salmon etc.
Id recommend bringing 2 powerbanks, so you can charge one while you use the other one. For example on a trip I stayed at a lot of campsites, so I had to hand one over to charge over night.
Couldn't you just charge your device with the rest of the power bank battery before arriving at the campsite?
Carrying an extra power bank seems like such a waste unless you actually positively absolutely have to have a higher battery capacity.
@@Minecraftrok999 Even if you charge your phone before you get to the campsite, if you hand over your powerbank to charge at 6pm, then you use your phone after that it will be using power, so the phone will not be full the next morning. If you have 2 powerbanks, you basically always have one to charge with if you want, plus the extra battery capacity.
Recommend couple small powerbanks instear large one. They charge themself faster and can do it simultaneously. More easy to predict how much electricity you actually have, also a failsafe option.
You guys should make a podcast ! Would be great bedtime listening !
Highly recommend bringing cable ties went on a biking trip myself recently and bringing cable ties turned out being the thing I used the most
Part of the adventure, if you are going a distance, is being dirty and salty. Makes jumping in a puddle more fun. 😀 Don’t forget your extension cord. Wow so many electronics.
@5:58 Trying to unsee Conor in his "black stockings" in the red light! 🦵🏿🦵🏿🔴😅
🎵The streets are cruel, he tries to act cool,
He goes to work with only his one tool 🎵
Hihihi... Red Light District location...
I suggest a tiny lightweight tent and a tarp to put over your bike and bags overnight. No stove needed though, just have cold food in the evenings and stop in cafes for a cooked lunch. Also important to distribute weight so it’s balanced front to back or the steering gets really light
Great video overall. I found the bike spare parts especially useful. I am thinking of going on a bike packing trip soon and was really worried about the possibility of a spoke or multiple ones braking. Especially with the added load.
It's always good to have spares - it's a trade off between taking absolutely everything and having a set up that's not too heavy - depends on the adventure I guess!
Nice job Conor! Where I live I’m unfortunately restricted to day rides sadly, but lonnnng day rides if I can manage it. Always enjoy seeing the Irish countryside in your videos. I miss home!
Unless I missed it, you don't seem to have mentioned fenders (mud guards). Fenders are absolutely essential on overnight bicycle trips, especially in the Pacific Northwest, or, apparently, the UK.
Great advise. Just what I was looking for. Thanks!!!!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks David!
This is a really useful video! Thank you!
I usually have trouble keeping my front bag off the wheel due to a racy position.. having extra straps around the bag & stem helps, a bit..
Be careful, camp ride is extremely addictive.
Oh yes!!!
Conor's dog gets a super nice.
Why are so many people not using rear racks? You can carry a 30 pack of beer plus more, just on the rear. It rides better than weight on the front.🤔🍻
I dont get this either. Maybe aerodynamics? That must be it probably. Or the extra weight
Love the National Championship bands on the kit, have I just not noticed them before this video?!
So Nigel got some screen time but I want to see more of Connors dog. Make it happen Connor 👍👍
Improvise
Adapt
Overcome
Good Video.
Since GCN is showing so much on Bikepacking in the past and right now, why don't you try to cover some of the popular races in Europe? The Threepeaksbikerace was/is recent, French Decide, Badlands, Tuscany Trail, Holy Gravel etc. There's a ton of races every season. Would be nice to see you tackle those ;)
Cool video.
If you ranger rolled your gear you could possibly fit double the gear.
Beautiful video are these bags enough for traveling the world thinking that you are gonna travel even winter?
Great timing. Tackling my first 3 day ride next month.
What about a lock? If you travel multiple days at some point you’ll step off your bike and go shopping or sightseeing. How do you safely lock your bike then?
Awesome thank you
Awesome! Just what I was looking for :)
Wheel and tyre choice: tubeless wheelset and tyres all the way, plus a tubeless tyre plug kit. By doing so one will have less risk of delay due to punctures (save major sidewall cut, and very big impact puncture which tyre sealant and tubeless tyre plug kit combo fail to seal).
By doing so doesn’t mean negating the need of taking spare inner tube and puncture repair kit altogether, just that you can carry one to two inner tube(s), depending on the length of the trip, as the very last resort
On long canoe trips I use a modern automotive chamois instead of a real towel.
Great video. Any links for the luggage?
You may also want to think about enjoying your time off of your bike, such as by having shoes that you can easily walk in. And a little stove for hot drinks. Or is the point to stay on the bike for 16 hours of every 24?
A back up battery rear light is a good idea. Bit extra weight, but you can buy AA or AA batteries almost anywhere in the world I would think. Heading out on a trip in a week. About 1200K in 10 days. My legs and bum hurt already.🙄
WELL DONE, THANK YOU! 😊 🚲
One tip, you dont need a big towel, get a small microfiber towel, it takes a fraction of the room and absorbs a lot of moisture. Bonus tip, get a tailfin.
Which lights are used in this video? I am guessing there are probably newer ones that have come out.
What type of bike is that? Is it carbon? Im sketched on putting a heavy frame
bag because Im worried it’ll damage my carbon
정말 멋진 라이더 캠퍼 입니다. 영상 재밌게 잘 봤습니다. 안전 라이딩 하세요.
any experience in using a backpack instead? too much stress on ur back?
How would I pack my CPAP? Could I power it off an e-bike? Just teasing ... it will have to be hotels for me.
Hi, would have been nice to see if these packs would fit on a smaller bike, i.e. would Manon be able to ride her bike with these on. I am over 6 foot and have struggled with frame bags getting in the way of peddling and access to bottles.
Some great tips here Conor and also in the comments section. I’ve only been on one big 3 day trip where my buddies and I cycled from Tokyo to the alps, then completed a gran Fondo on the 3rd day. Needless to say I took the train back. Definitely recommend wider tyres, disc brakes as well a a wide range cassette. My cassette is 11-46, and I still had to push the bike on one big mountain at end of day. Enjoy the journey not just focus on getting to your destination.
th-cam.com/video/UUk7vxg2U-A/w-d-xo.html.
Microfibre towel for the win, pack super small!
Nice set up👍🏻❤️.. Watching from philipines.