Conor's best video to date. Honest and humble. I did this ride 40 years ago, with a plastic bivvie bag - often woke up with slugs and snails inside. Would just spend the evening in a pub and get back on my bike in the dark and wild camp anywhere (it was a longer route covering England and Wales). A couple in Chepstow put me up for the night, which I've never forgotten as it was a real act of trust. Went to a concert in Cardiff, and ditched my bike over a hedge out of town afterwards for the night's wild camp. Found out the next morning that it was someone's front garden. They weren't impressed. Fell in instant love with a waitress in Merthyr. At the start of my ride out of London, I hooked up with a rider from Idaho who was super excited to join me to ride to Welwyn Garden City, which I said was just full of roundabouts. He thought that roundabouts were women of easy repute apparently. I thought those days were ancient history, but 40 years later, I'm back into cycling and adventure.
Love it!!! Sounds like some adventure!!! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the vid. Even better tho that you are back into the cycling.. enjoy, that is awesome. all the best, Conor
1st hour of bikepacking: why am I doing this? I could just stay home 3rd hour of bikepacking: this is bloody amazing, just being one with nature, look at those views 6th hour of bikepacking, after 1hr of bikepushing: why am i doing this, this is pure misery 8th hour of bikepacking, at the camp site: ah the tranquility, this is where nature and man coexist. 14th hour of bikepacking: it’s the middle of the night, I need to pee, but it’s so cold outside 18th hour of bikepacking: nothing beats a morning coffee with this view 24th hour of bikepacking: a road! An actual asphalt road! I survived! 30th hour of bikepacking: Shower! Beer! Food! Not necessarily in that order, not necessarily consecutively!
I did a couple of one night trips close to home, as dry runs. Then set off to Scotland for a 5 day trip... best thing I ever did, so liberating. I do couple trips a year now. I've been all four corners of our beautiful isles now. Love it Edit: little tip. Your gas bottle for the stove fits in to those types of cooking pots. So they take up the same space in your bag.
Conor the hobbit… I absolutely love the idea! After all, he’s the same diminutive size as Eitri the Dwarf King (the MCU version). No wonder the sleeping bag is too small when you’re the size of a post-Panamax container ship! It’s a really cool video and a great adventure, even if the Fan y Big jokes were a little stale.
@@filipkonopacki1547 Connor has indeed got some Hobbit character features: looking into the world positively, wisely naïeve and respecting the beauty of things as they come.
Great trip Conor! "I'm not sure if it is supposed to be this easy" just because you didn't spill your ramen all over your gear and was able to set up in the day light. - You're the best
Absolutely fantastic Conor. Exactly what I needed to see. I took up cycling just a little over a year ago. Did 3 Sportives around Ireland last year & loved them. Few more planned this year & I have a Grail on the way, hopefully beginning of May 🤞. The plan is to do a solo ride, from Waterford (home) to Derry (my second home) - 350km. 3 days, 2 nights - wild camping. I’ve no camping history either 😂 I’ll do a test run on the Copper Coast overnight to make sure I’ve thought of everything. Then as soon as it looks like a 3 day dry spell (I’m not as brave as you 😂) I’m off. You have defo inspired me to see it through 👍
Awesome effort. and entertaining. Jumping into bikepacking with both feet and surviving was great. Your comments were matter of fact and not whining and complaining, was refreshing. Get out there for a week or more of bikepacking and not on pavement and have some real adventure the next time. Good on ya!!
In my experience, its best to wear skate or MTB shoes and use flat pedals. You lose a little on the roads, but when you have to start pushing the bike up muddy and rocky hills they make a lot more sense.
Amazing video! Maybe do one again and go in more detail, teach us the ins and outs of bike packing, setting up your tent, making your own food et cetera. Would definitely watch that.
Brilliant video and kudos to Connor for tackling those long off-road sections that required pushing his bike!! I've been backpacking for over 50 years. And I've done my share of bike packing. I also run wilderness challenge experiences for teens. So here's a bit a caution for those thinking of doing their first trip. Connor is NOT HUMAN. His alien origins were clearly revealed in the high altitude video a couple weeks ago. He can do things that would kill mere mortals. I would suggest that those folks contemplating their first bike packing trip consider a route with better gravel terrain that does not require pushing your bike and riding over roads with rocks the size of dinosaur testicles. You want to enjoy your first trip so it's not your last. But again, GREAT JOB CONNOR!, aka THE MARTIAN.
haha that is good advice... keep the route enjoyable. I loved this one, but it was definitely testing at times on the terrain!! Luckily I've managed to do a fair bit of riding recently, so had ok fitness. But I wouldn't have wanted to take it on when just getting back into things thats for sure. Thanks for watching and super happy you liked the video. All the best with the wilderness challenges, sounds like a brilliant project. Conor
@@conordunne219 Hi Conor! You seem like a really good guy for an alien with superalien physical abilities. 🤣 🤣🤣. (All jesting aside, I am constantly amazed at the stamina and strength of you and many of your GCN colleagues! Incredible.) I have very much enjoyed your addition to GCN and hope your job brings you as much joy as it brings to us viewers. I'm off to the mountains in North Carolina, USA in two weeks with 90 high school seniors. We'll be backpacking, camping, rock climbing over 6 days and about 75 kilometers. No bike packing although I think that would be great fun and something to think about for the future. Warm regards, Luigi.
@@SignorLuigi That's awesome, enjoy! Sounds like so much fun would love to join. Although I'm not that great at climbing, I'd give it a go. All the best, Conor
My son was listening in the background while I was watching and said he's either rediculous or slowly going insane! 😂 Another great video from GCN. Now you've all done bikepacking, I feel a presenter bikepacking challenge coming 👍
I appreciate the genuine enthusiasm Conor had for his trip. It was a struggle for him but also a lot of fun (much less struggle for the viewer, but still quite fun!).
Fantastic video, guys, and props to Conor for the constant stop/start of filming passes on a tripod. Had a giggle at setting up camp in the dark, not knowing how to do it properly, on the first night - I did the exact same thing on my first trip! I'm heading off to the Brecons again at the end of this month, fantastic area if the weather holds.
This is a lovely video. Conor is such a hero and an excellent presenter. I'm having some real stress with work, running a business which is basically 2 businesses, one of which needs staffing solidly... With a 15 month old at home and various staff I feel like this is exactly what I need to do. Thanks Conor and GCN, top, top content as always
Conor is so positive and likeable it added to the adventure and made it fun. I wanted to reach out and help him somehow through the screen but cringed when he got lost and set up the tent in the dark. My hat's off to you Conor. Thanks
I bumped into Conor in Brecon when he stopped for a coffee. Really nice guy more than happy to have a quick chat. Didn’t look too shattered either, in between the massive downpours which I can confirm!
sometimes, if you don't just DO something, you tend to find reasons not to do it, BUT if you're going to do something like THIS, 1) Have a back up plan!! Make sure when you need to pull the plug, you can. Make sure enough people know what you're doing and where to look so that a rescue can be initiated in case you don't check in. 2) Prepare & practice as much as you can AT HOME. Set up and use all of your gear, be confident in how to unpack, use, and re-pack it. Spend the night in the back (garden/yard), make sure your sleeping kit is warm enough for you. 3) Do a one-night test trip close to home. There will be issues that crop up when you go away from the safety of the back garden that you don't expect because at home you had everything there. Especially when it comes to packing the bike, or working on a mechanical. 4) first time adventuring should be done in SUMMER. That way, there's room for error. If something happens at least the worst that can happen is you'll be uncomfortable.
Love this! Connor is one of my favorite presenters and this trip was too hard for him, unnecessarily. I champion for callaboration GCN&Cycling About. Dunn and Dun going on an adventure, two seriously fit riders, but tall and skinny going through wilderness, giving advice to viewer and having fun. That would be EPIC!
@@conordunne219 No worries mate, I love to see more backpacking content on GCN. As the years go by I feel that competitive cycling is more and more detached from mere mortals (money, technology and mindset). I would like to see more alternatives :gravel races, bike packing, transcontinental self-sufficient racing etc
In at the deep end, that looks like a hard route. The thing that impressed me is your upbeat and happy attitude. Even though things go wrong, like a sleeping bag that smells of pot noodle, you keep smiling throughout. Well done 👍
Conor has an unfair advantage when bike packing in that he can fit a frame back plus two water bottles inside the triangle of the frame... I can barely get two water bottles in my XXS frame!
@@frankmoran167 I know many people do not like a backbag while cycling. However, in a good 15 - 20 l bag you can store a lot of stuff compared to your narrow frame bag. In addition, they are a bit cheaper compared to most frame bags.
I love these videos that teach you how to go bike camping by showing what not to do and how not to prepare! Nearly all of us end up making the same mistakes but still have a great time and keep coming back for more.
When Conor said he was lucky with the weather. I knew he just meteorically shot himself in the foot. I've learnt, you never say you been lucky with the weather in the UK as you WILL get half drowned by the rain.
Since it was Connor’s first bike-packing trip, it would be great if he/you guys would please share a list of the gear he took. Or, there’s your next follow-up video. What he used, what he maybe didn’t end up needing. It would be a great reference for those who are looking forward to their first trip but wanting to know what gear to buy/take. Thanks so much!
GCN, your videos are entertaining and always provide a learning opportunity. For someone like me who has never been to the UK, these videos also showcase the beauty of your county. Thank you for sharing mates..
My touring / summer bike has F&R racks with 4x Carradice bags. Can’t say I’d be a fan of this new approach, with bags seemingly strapped precariously to every part of the frame and forks. When did this start?
Late tto the party, I'm finally getting to this video. Loved it! Love Connor's spirit, humour and tenacity! Love the bikepacking content gcn! Love the views and history too! Glad the "Road to Hell" did not defeat Connor's good intentions!
Absolutely loved it! You have published the video in the exact week when I was having doubts about my first bikepacking experience but now, Conor and GCN you guys inspired me to take the journey! Thank you for the awesome video! :) Looking forward to see more bikepacking videos on GCN!
These videos are always absolutely beautiful and an inspiration to watch! PS: aren't those shoes not really the best if you have to dismount your bike and push it on rough terrain?
He was badly equipped for this trip. Bad gearing, bad shoes/cleats and bag situation could be much better. I hope he learns lot on this trip and do follow up.
He wasn't in England, he was in Wales. Totally different country. 🏴Not🏴. I've got to say that Connor (as a fellow Celt) should of practice how to pronounce the Welsh names👍
Thank you for only trying out cycling completely unprepared. A week ago, I had to guide 2 greenhorns down from 5000 through a snowstorm. It was "their first time in the mountains", not to mention on a glacier!
its a liberating experience travelling self supported by bike. Have been doing tours in Iceland for the last 4 summers and it is an experience and a half. Recommend that everyone who loves biking and the outdoors try it at least once. Just accept the fact that you are not in control of the weather, and you are exposed to it as you will be outside for the vast majority of your trip, so be prepared!
Well done Connor! Have you really never camped before? Going with a tarp for your first ever time is ambitious! 👍 Hope the midges didn't get you! 🤣 After not bikepacking in ages I've done two trips in the last two weeks! An overnight trip round the Peak on similar terrain to what you were on and a 3 day/2 night 350 km trip on slightly easier terrain out into Lincolnshire and then also over a great bridge - over the Humber - into Yorkshire before swinging back homewards. It's a great experience.
So basically three takeaways; Don't underbike yourself (gravel bikes are meant for gravel roads, not MTB trails. Don't plan such big days that you don't have plenty of time to set up camp in the daylight and relax at the end of the day. And be sure to thoroughly test gear before you leave to ensure you know how to set everything up and you have the right gear for your trip. For the record, XL bags aren't necessarily meant for tall people as much as stout people. Look for bags that are designated at TALL. As someone who is 6'5" tall, I can definitely tell you it makes a difference. Having jammed feet in a foot box really sucks. Glad you made it through your adventure.
Bike packing is like the next level adventure for any cyclists I would love to travel and do this one day but not sure how to go about it but love it how GCN favorite Guinea pig took on this daring quest for any cyclist and took on the task for all us curious bike lovers who are willing to get their feet wet in this epic setting.
1) Take lightweight overtrousers as well as rain jacket. 2) Roll your mat or squeeze your bag or dry clothes kit bag into the the end of your pot, then keep the whole lot inside one of your bikepacking bag - banging around external pot just drives you mad. 3) any foods that can burst: Mug Shots, noodles, soup packets, oats etc. keep inside a plastic bag. Good effort for two consecutive proper bivvies. Check Decathlon's sleeping bags they do them in more sizes than many other other manufacturers. Either that or get rich and go to PHD to make you a custom one!
Great video. Love the sense of adventure. Two suggestions: 1. get some properly low gears 2. Get some Shimano touring pedals which are SPD one side, flats on the other (and better shoes for hike a biking).
First camping trip? It's about time! My first bike camping trip was in the 80s, when I was a teenager. Pro tip: get some instant oatmeal/porridge packets for breakfast.
Amazing video, such a buzz seeing someone enjoy bike packing especially for their first time. You should try it as a gcn group bike pack trip as to share the experience creates amazing memories.
Nice one Connor. Yep you have certainly more than peaked my interest in bike packing! Living in Melbourne (originally from Scotland) I am now thinking on a wee Tasmania adventure. Great work!!
Brilliant, he's self supported and carries twice as much kit as the other guys when they're followed by a van :)) (btw thanks for definitely putting me off ever doing this) (tenting AND Wales)
Not sure if I should blame GCN, or Bike Touring Mike. An 11 day trip last year. Two 6 day, and one 4 day so far this year. A three week trip coming up in a few weeks. A lot of fun. Komoot tip #1: Never say Mt bike unless you have a Mt bike, #2: Enter gravel ride will get you Mt bike paths at times.
Really fun and inspiring video! If you can, there is nothing like putting a pannier rack on your bike. It does not add much weight considering all the other equipment, and it really makes it way easier packing. Been doing everything from touring to bike packing, and have found that the middle ground is actually my sweet spot when it comes to loading my bike. Lightweight rack at the rear, and "anything cages" on the fork. Best of two worlds.
Great vid 👍 Well done Connor, some brutal climbs there! Getting me all excited, I’ve got a little overnighter bike packing trip coming up in a couple of weeks, can’t wait 😁
They probably used 🔝 of the line equipment, far outside most people's income. A road-🚲 w/wider tyres and bags from Topeak.com &. Ortlieb.com has taken care of me, along road & gravel trails. And bivy bags or ⛺, depend on your local(or not) weather.
@@johnthrasher5613 thanks John! I was thinking the same thing, but information is almost never enough hehe. I will check the ortlieb site, thanks! Btw, do you have recommendations for bivys/tents here in the uk? (I just moved in from Portugal)
@@BrunoSpellanzon ortlieb is definitely top of the line, completely waterproof and good customer service. comes with a price tag though. Apidura is similar, topeak is way cheaper
Great. I’m an absolute arse at anything practical, like camping or using a gas stove, so it was good to see someone relatable. Bike packing is definitely on my list of things I want to do.
Yesss!!! I loved this adventure with Connor. This is just the adventure I need for this lockdown in Australia! I wonder...Is there a place where I could watch a longer version of this and for that matter other GCN adventure style videos?
Great vid Conor, I've experienced being caught out on some of those South Wales tracks. They can be a lot rougher than you expect, I got punctured and was miles from tarmac. Beautiful countryside though. Fancy the camping idea but I'm intrigued by the new modern packing systems I don't think Aero should be an issue on a camping tour so I'm struggling to see the value of the tube type rear carrier. Please let me know how you got on with that long extension waving around while your riding?? That would annoy me pretty quickly. The old type saddlebags were a lot more roomy and stable. Cheers
That edit of the sheep shaking it's head was a very nice touch, lol.
Shaking its head as if to say you ‘ewe must be joking’…. 😉
@@davehollingworth5537 Proper dad joke there hahaha
@@davehollingworth5537 Baaah, ha, ha, ha!
GCN has done such a good job finding genuinely likeable hosts
The best trio were Matt, Dan and Si, Connor and co have no sense of humour or do not crack jokes.
@@solsouth matt Dan and si are like old top gear level so you can't beat them enjoy the time
Yes, if only they find the right gear. Larger tires would have been more riding and less hiking
What happened to Emma Pooley. She was a great presenter.
@@dormantat Jeremy Powers too? He was one of my favourite presenters. Not sure if he quit but he hasn't been in a video for over 8 months
Conor's best video to date. Honest and humble. I did this ride 40 years ago, with a plastic bivvie bag - often woke up with slugs and snails inside. Would just spend the evening in a pub and get back on my bike in the dark and wild camp anywhere (it was a longer route covering England and Wales). A couple in Chepstow put me up for the night, which I've never forgotten as it was a real act of trust. Went to a concert in Cardiff, and ditched my bike over a hedge out of town afterwards for the night's wild camp. Found out the next morning that it was someone's front garden. They weren't impressed. Fell in instant love with a waitress in Merthyr. At the start of my ride out of London, I hooked up with a rider from Idaho who was super excited to join me to ride to Welwyn Garden City, which I said was just full of roundabouts. He thought that roundabouts were women of easy repute apparently. I thought those days were ancient history, but 40 years later, I'm back into cycling and adventure.
great story! I'm planning to go for my first "overnighter" soon, but now I'm scared of snails in my bivy bag 😰 didn't think about that
@@conan_der_barbar That's me out. I don't think I could recover from such a fright.
Love it!!! Sounds like some adventure!!! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the vid. Even better tho that you are back into the cycling.. enjoy, that is awesome. all the best, Conor
I live in Welwyn, he was right about the women
1st hour of bikepacking: why am I doing this? I could just stay home
3rd hour of bikepacking: this is bloody amazing, just being one with nature, look at those views
6th hour of bikepacking, after 1hr of bikepushing: why am i doing this, this is pure misery
8th hour of bikepacking, at the camp site: ah the tranquility, this is where nature and man coexist.
14th hour of bikepacking: it’s the middle of the night, I need to pee, but it’s so cold outside
18th hour of bikepacking: nothing beats a morning coffee with this view
24th hour of bikepacking: a road! An actual asphalt road! I survived!
30th hour of bikepacking: Shower! Beer! Food! Not necessarily in that order, not necessarily consecutively!
Ahahahaha I can relate to this so much!
I really hope Connors online personality is his real one. He might be one of the most positive and nicest guys ever! Great video
I love that Conner is such a big history fan. It's always a joy to see how excited he gets pointing out all of the historical points on bike rides.
I did a couple of one night trips close to home, as dry runs. Then set off to Scotland for a 5 day trip... best thing I ever did, so liberating. I do couple trips a year now. I've been all four corners of our beautiful isles now. Love it
Edit: little tip. Your gas bottle for the stove fits in to those types of cooking pots. So they take up the same space in your bag.
Conor’s ability to entertain himself, keeps us all laughing. Good stuff GCN.
That was a great video. Conner was the absolute best pick for this video. His personality came shining thru. Take care, Al
Like Bilbo Baggins, conner shouted out: ‘I’m going on an adventure!’ - Connor is kinda tall for a hobbit..
lol , i knew the pots & pans tied to the outside reminded me of something .. have a like
Lol, Connor’s first night seemed a mash up of GCN meets Blair Witch Project! Hats off to him though, great to tick off something like this! 👍🏻
Conor the hobbit… I absolutely love the idea! After all, he’s the same diminutive size as Eitri the Dwarf King (the MCU version). No wonder the sleeping bag is too small when you’re the size of a post-Panamax container ship! It’s a really cool video and a great adventure, even if the Fan y Big jokes were a little stale.
@@filipkonopacki1547 Connor has indeed got some Hobbit character features: looking into the world positively, wisely naïeve and respecting the beauty of things as they come.
That happens when you drink Ent-drafts.
Great trip Conor! "I'm not sure if it is supposed to be this easy" just because you didn't spill your ramen all over your gear and was able to set up in the day light. - You're the best
Absolutely fantastic Conor. Exactly what I needed to see. I took up cycling just a little over a year ago. Did 3 Sportives around Ireland last year & loved them. Few more planned this year & I have a Grail on the way, hopefully beginning of May 🤞. The plan is to do a solo ride, from Waterford (home) to Derry (my second home) - 350km. 3 days, 2 nights - wild camping. I’ve no camping history either 😂 I’ll do a test run on the Copper Coast overnight to make sure I’ve thought of everything. Then as soon as it looks like a 3 day dry spell (I’m not as brave as you 😂) I’m off.
You have defo inspired me to see it through 👍
Awesome effort. and entertaining. Jumping into bikepacking with both feet and surviving was great. Your comments were matter of fact and not whining and complaining, was refreshing. Get out there for a week or more of bikepacking and not on pavement and have some real adventure the next time. Good on ya!!
Without doubt one of the best GCN videos ever because I can relate to Conor's experience - he's such humility. Also Beacons is my backyard.
In my experience, its best to wear skate or MTB shoes and use flat pedals. You lose a little on the roads, but when you have to start pushing the bike up muddy and rocky hills they make a lot more sense.
Amazing video! Maybe do one again and go in more detail, teach us the ins and outs of bike packing, setting up your tent, making your own food et cetera. Would definitely watch that.
Check this out: th-cam.com/video/h0SsG2cijFo/w-d-xo.html
👍
Brilliant video and kudos to Connor for tackling those long off-road sections that required pushing his bike!! I've been backpacking for over 50 years. And I've done my share of bike packing. I also run wilderness challenge experiences for teens. So here's a bit a caution for those thinking of doing their first trip. Connor is NOT HUMAN. His alien origins were clearly revealed in the high altitude video a couple weeks ago. He can do things that would kill mere mortals. I would suggest that those folks contemplating their first bike packing trip consider a route with better gravel terrain that does not require pushing your bike and riding over roads with rocks the size of dinosaur testicles. You want to enjoy your first trip so it's not your last. But again, GREAT JOB CONNOR!, aka THE MARTIAN.
haha that is good advice... keep the route enjoyable. I loved this one, but it was definitely testing at times on the terrain!! Luckily I've managed to do a fair bit of riding recently, so had ok fitness. But I wouldn't have wanted to take it on when just getting back into things thats for sure. Thanks for watching and super happy you liked the video. All the best with the wilderness challenges, sounds like a brilliant project. Conor
@@conordunne219 Hi Conor! You seem like a really good guy for an alien with superalien physical abilities. 🤣 🤣🤣. (All jesting aside, I am constantly amazed at the stamina and strength of you and many of your GCN colleagues! Incredible.) I have very much enjoyed your addition to GCN and hope your job brings you as much joy as it brings to us viewers. I'm off to the mountains in North Carolina, USA in two weeks with 90 high school seniors. We'll be backpacking, camping, rock climbing over 6 days and about 75 kilometers. No bike packing although I think that would be great fun and something to think about for the future. Warm regards, Luigi.
@@SignorLuigi That's awesome, enjoy! Sounds like so much fun would love to join. Although I'm not that great at climbing, I'd give it a go. All the best, Conor
My son was listening in the background while I was watching and said he's either rediculous or slowly going insane! 😂 Another great video from GCN. Now you've all done bikepacking, I feel a presenter bikepacking challenge coming 👍
Slowly?
This is the coolest content, from GCN. i love gravel adventure, bikepacking trip.
Thank you!
I appreciate the genuine enthusiasm Conor had for his trip. It was a struggle for him but also a lot of fun (much less struggle for the viewer, but still quite fun!).
Fantastic video, guys, and props to Conor for the constant stop/start of filming passes on a tripod. Had a giggle at setting up camp in the dark, not knowing how to do it properly, on the first night - I did the exact same thing on my first trip!
I'm heading off to the Brecons again at the end of this month, fantastic area if the weather holds.
Thanks Zachary, it was an awesome adventure... absolutely love it. Enjoy the Brecons, special place.
GCN has been pumping out some epic episodes daily now 😍😍😍😍
I love bikepacking. Even when things go wrong, it's always an adventure.
This is a lovely video. Conor is such a hero and an excellent presenter. I'm having some real stress with work, running a business which is basically 2 businesses, one of which needs staffing solidly... With a 15 month old at home and various staff I feel like this is exactly what I need to do. Thanks Conor and GCN, top, top content as always
Conor is so positive and likeable it added to the adventure and made it fun. I wanted to reach out and help him somehow through the screen but cringed when he got lost and set up the tent in the dark. My hat's off to you Conor. Thanks
I bumped into Conor in Brecon when he stopped for a coffee. Really nice guy more than happy to have a quick chat. Didn’t look too shattered either, in between the massive downpours which I can confirm!
Well done, sir! I love the fact that you just took the plunge...very inspiring!
sometimes, if you don't just DO something, you tend to find reasons not to do it, BUT if you're going to do something like THIS,
1) Have a back up plan!! Make sure when you need to pull the plug, you can. Make sure enough people know what you're doing and where to look so that a rescue can be initiated in case you don't check in.
2) Prepare & practice as much as you can AT HOME. Set up and use all of your gear, be confident in how to unpack, use, and re-pack it. Spend the night in the back (garden/yard), make sure your sleeping kit is warm enough for you.
3) Do a one-night test trip close to home. There will be issues that crop up when you go away from the safety of the back garden that you don't expect because at home you had everything there. Especially when it comes to packing the bike, or working on a mechanical.
4) first time adventuring should be done in SUMMER. That way, there's room for error. If something happens at least the worst that can happen is you'll be uncomfortable.
Love this! Connor is one of my favorite presenters and this trip was too hard for him, unnecessarily. I champion for callaboration GCN&Cycling About. Dunn and Dun going on an adventure, two seriously fit riders, but tall and skinny going through wilderness, giving advice to viewer and having fun. That would be EPIC!
That would be fantastic.. thanks for watching. So glad you liked this one!
@@conordunne219 No worries mate, I love to see more backpacking content on GCN. As the years go by I feel that competitive cycling is more and more detached from mere mortals (money, technology and mindset). I would like to see more alternatives :gravel races, bike packing, transcontinental self-sufficient racing etc
In at the deep end, that looks like a hard route. The thing that impressed me is your upbeat and happy attitude. Even though things go wrong, like a sleeping bag that smells of pot noodle, you keep smiling throughout. Well done 👍
Need more bike packing vids like this taking on UK routes. Really inspiring. Even watched it twice.
Really loved this video, Conor's enthusiasm is contagious.
Conor has an unfair advantage when bike packing in that he can fit a frame back plus two water bottles inside the triangle of the frame... I can barely get two water bottles in my XXS frame!
i bet your sleeping bag fits, though. : p
Apidura race do a full length top tube bag for us shorties. Narrow bars a another problem...
@@frankmoran167 I know many people do not like a backbag while cycling. However, in a good 15 - 20 l bag you can store a lot of stuff compared to your narrow frame bag. In addition, they are a bit cheaper compared to most frame bags.
I did hit my head on every low hanging branch though!
@@conordunne219 And you dont' fit the largest size sleeping bag!
I love these videos that teach you how to go bike camping by showing what not to do and how not to prepare! Nearly all of us end up making the same mistakes but still have a great time and keep coming back for more.
When Conor said he was lucky with the weather. I knew he just meteorically shot himself in the foot. I've learnt, you never say you been lucky with the weather in the UK as you WILL get half drowned by the rain.
...especially in Wales!
Set myself up for that one ha.... Thanks for watching!!!!
So awesome! I love Conor's amazing optimism and pure joy through the whole video.
I love the edit! The sheep shaking its head in reference to Connor’s biceps.
Since it was Connor’s first bike-packing trip, it would be great if he/you guys would please share a list of the gear he took. Or, there’s your next follow-up
video. What he used, what he maybe didn’t end up needing.
It would be a great reference for those who are looking forward to their first trip but wanting to know what gear to buy/take. Thanks so much!
I thoroughly enjoy watching the GCN crew revel in their epic rides! Thanks for keeping me motivated!
Love this content! I've been trying to get up the courage to try bike packing and Connor did a great job of making it look like something I could try.
Low production cost, awesome video. Hope we see more of these ones!
For Conor to be on a magazine's cover, he would need to find a magazine printed in A3 :D
Brings back memories of my 1600 km bike packing trip that I did in 6 days. Brutal but worth every once of suffering. 🤙🏻
I NEED him to do such a trip again! Super inspiring! Let's go mate!😃
Best bike related videos anywhere with awesome hosts! Thank you GCN!
GCN, your videos are entertaining and always provide a learning opportunity. For someone like me who has never been to the UK, these videos also showcase the beauty of your county. Thank you for sharing mates..
Beautifully done Conor. Thanks to GCN for another quality video to enjoy.
Conor is great! Love his attitude when things go awry, he seems unflappable!
More of this please GCN. Cracking content.
Well done Conor 👏🏿
My touring / summer bike has F&R racks with 4x Carradice bags. Can’t say I’d be a fan of this new approach, with bags seemingly strapped precariously to every part of the frame and forks. When did this start?
Late tto the party, I'm finally getting to this video. Loved it! Love Connor's spirit, humour and tenacity! Love the bikepacking content gcn! Love the views and history too! Glad the "Road to Hell" did not defeat Connor's good intentions!
Absolutely loved it! You have published the video in the exact week when I was having doubts about my first bikepacking experience but now, Conor and GCN you guys inspired me to take the journey! Thank you for the awesome video! :) Looking forward to see more bikepacking videos on GCN!
Thank you for the journey Conor ! Full of laugh, positivity and History, as always :) !
what was funny?
I'm preparing for a bikepacking tour through the Northeast of Denmark (Zealand) and Southern Sweden (Scania), and this is getting me so hyped up!
Absolutely loved this video, well done GCN, so refreshing to see him pushing his bike! Makes me feel a lot better!
These videos are always absolutely beautiful and an inspiration to watch!
PS: aren't those shoes not really the best if you have to dismount your bike and push it on rough terrain?
Definitely better in flat shoes, or at least something with a recessed cleat.
He was badly equipped for this trip. Bad gearing, bad shoes/cleats and bag situation could be much better. I hope he learns lot on this trip and do follow up.
Only in England can a 30+ year old man be experiencing his first ever camping experience 😂😂 great video well done
He wasn't in England, he was in Wales. Totally different country. 🏴Not🏴. I've got to say that Connor (as a fellow Celt) should of practice how to pronounce the Welsh names👍
This might be my new favorite video. GCN vs the angliru is now number 2
That “Road to Hell” editing was amazing! But if I ever saw that in real life… I wouldn’t hesitate to pop a quick u-turn.
Thank you for only trying out cycling completely unprepared.
A week ago, I had to guide 2 greenhorns down from 5000 through a snowstorm. It was "their first time in the mountains", not to mention on a glacier!
Wales is very impressive with its natural beauty. Thanks for showing that off.
You make it looks so easy, it's very enjoyable to watch, please share more bike packing, Connor!
its a liberating experience travelling self supported by bike. Have been doing tours in Iceland for the last 4 summers and it is an experience and a half. Recommend that everyone who loves biking and the outdoors try it at least once.
Just accept the fact that you are not in control of the weather, and you are exposed to it as you will be outside for the vast majority of your trip, so be prepared!
Well done Connor! Have you really never camped before? Going with a tarp for your first ever time is ambitious! 👍 Hope the midges didn't get you! 🤣 After not bikepacking in ages I've done two trips in the last two weeks! An overnight trip round the Peak on similar terrain to what you were on and a 3 day/2 night 350 km trip on slightly easier terrain out into Lincolnshire and then also over a great bridge - over the Humber - into Yorkshire before swinging back homewards. It's a great experience.
I have a new favorite GCN presenter after Manon, it's Conor. Awesome ride!
Really inspiring Conor and really loved the way you documented your plunge.
I wished I could double-like this video 😍👌🏾
So basically three takeaways; Don't underbike yourself (gravel bikes are meant for gravel roads, not MTB trails. Don't plan such big days that you don't have plenty of time to set up camp in the daylight and relax at the end of the day. And be sure to thoroughly test gear before you leave to ensure you know how to set everything up and you have the right gear for your trip. For the record, XL bags aren't necessarily meant for tall people as much as stout people. Look for bags that are designated at TALL. As someone who is 6'5" tall, I can definitely tell you it makes a difference. Having jammed feet in a foot box really sucks. Glad you made it through your adventure.
My favourite GCN video so far. Nice going!! Now I’m imagining legions of Romans marching that road in cleats haha the noise!!
Conor's videos are just the best, genuinely funny guy!
Bike packing is like the next level adventure for any cyclists I would love to travel and do this one day but not sure how to go about it but love it how GCN favorite Guinea pig took on this daring quest for any cyclist and took on the task for all us curious bike lovers who are willing to get their feet wet in this epic setting.
Saw Connor doing this ride the other week. Just outside Abergavenny. He looked knackered. Well done buddy.
Awe Great stuff well done Connor 👍 and yes you have inspired me look more into bike-packing, Amazing video.
Very inspiring as usual. Thumbs up for Conor. 👍👍👍👍
Conor is a rock star! Excellent vlog, many thanks!
Well done Conor. Great effort. Some of those tracks, bathed in Pot Noodle 😨 - you are the man. 💪
1) Take lightweight overtrousers as well as rain jacket. 2) Roll your mat or squeeze your bag or dry clothes kit bag into the the end of your pot, then keep the whole lot inside one of your bikepacking bag - banging around external pot just drives you mad. 3) any foods that can burst: Mug Shots, noodles, soup packets, oats etc. keep inside a plastic bag.
Good effort for two consecutive proper bivvies.
Check Decathlon's sleeping bags they do them in more sizes than many other other manufacturers. Either that or get rich and go to PHD to make you a custom one!
Bikepacking is „Bushcraft on Bike“ - Love it. My new fav. Combination. And I Use Flat BMX Pedals and Thin Trekking Shoes. It is Perfect.
Great video. Love the sense of adventure. Two suggestions: 1. get some properly low gears 2. Get some Shimano touring pedals which are SPD one side, flats on the other (and better shoes for hike a biking).
First camping trip? It's about time! My first bike camping trip was in the 80s, when I was a teenager. Pro tip: get some instant oatmeal/porridge packets for breakfast.
Amazing video, such a buzz seeing someone enjoy bike packing especially for their first time. You should try it as a gcn group bike pack trip as to share the experience creates amazing memories.
Nice one Connor. Yep you have certainly more than peaked my interest in bike packing! Living in Melbourne (originally from Scotland) I am now thinking on a wee Tasmania adventure. Great work!!
Brilliant, he's self supported and carries twice as much kit as the other guys when they're followed by a van :))
(btw thanks for definitely putting me off ever doing this) (tenting AND Wales)
Then you should go and try mainland europe. a week on some place with nice weather. you will enjoy it.
Dude! You're my hero!
That's exactly why I bought my Surly.. then took me ages to build up the nerve to go do some bikepacking.
Brilliant video GCN. Love these inspirational, aspirational videos.
Always fun seeing where I grew up, the Gap has sadly being torn up by the 4x4 last few years used to be Rocky but flowing.
Not sure if I should blame GCN, or Bike Touring Mike. An 11 day trip last year. Two 6 day, and one 4 day so far this year. A three week trip coming up in a few weeks. A lot of fun. Komoot tip #1: Never say Mt bike unless you have a Mt bike, #2: Enter gravel ride will get you Mt bike paths at times.
This Friday I’m starting 400 miles of bikepacking on the Colorado Trail. Bikepacking is the ultimate type 2 fun!
Really fun and inspiring video! If you can, there is nothing like putting a pannier rack on your bike. It does not add much weight considering all the other equipment, and it really makes it way easier packing. Been doing everything from touring to bike packing, and have found that the middle ground is actually my sweet spot when it comes to loading my bike. Lightweight rack at the rear, and "anything cages" on the fork. Best of two worlds.
Great vid 👍 Well done Connor, some brutal climbs there!
Getting me all excited, I’ve got a little overnighter bike packing trip coming up in a couple of weeks, can’t wait 😁
this bike trips are incredibly fun! just one thing, could you guys put the list of equipments used?
They probably used 🔝 of the line equipment, far outside most people's income. A road-🚲 w/wider tyres and bags from Topeak.com &. Ortlieb.com has taken care of me, along road & gravel trails. And bivy bags or ⛺, depend on your local(or not) weather.
@@johnthrasher5613 thanks John! I was thinking the same thing, but information is almost never enough hehe. I will check the ortlieb site, thanks! Btw, do you have recommendations for bivys/tents here in the uk? (I just moved in from Portugal)
@@johnthrasher5613 actually, Conor uses the cheaper topeak bags. they had an advertising video showing the whole range some time ago
@@BrunoSpellanzon ortlieb is definitely top of the line, completely waterproof and good customer service. comes with a price tag though. Apidura is similar, topeak is way cheaper
@@conan_der_barbar thanks man! I will take a look at them!
Great. I’m an absolute arse at anything practical, like camping or using a gas stove, so it was good to see someone relatable. Bike packing is definitely on my list of things I want to do.
FairPlay! some real tough trails and climbs for a gravel bike 👍👍
Really enjoyed this video. Conor has a fan from India! Love your YT channel!
Your the best Conor! 🤘🏻
I wish I had half of your courage to go to an adventure like that..
Great video Conner, I wouldn't mind trying that one day.😃👍
Haven't even reached the 5 min mark and I feel like I am already on the adventure with you! My adventures look exactly like this
Yesss!!! I loved this adventure with Connor. This is just the adventure I need for this lockdown in Australia! I wonder...Is there a place where I could watch a longer version of this and for that matter other GCN adventure style videos?
GCN+ has some great adventure/travel videos.
Judging from the angle of Conor's tail light at the end, he was worried about low-flying aircraft
Great vid Conor, I've experienced being caught out on some of those South Wales tracks. They can be a lot rougher than you expect, I got punctured and was miles from tarmac. Beautiful countryside though. Fancy the camping idea but I'm intrigued by the new modern packing systems
I don't think Aero should be an issue on a camping tour so I'm struggling to see the value of the tube type rear carrier. Please let me know how you got on with that long extension waving around while your riding?? That would annoy me pretty quickly.
The old type saddlebags were a lot more roomy and stable.
Cheers
Great video! Conor may not have the guns, but his legs are impressive. Next video with cousin Nevil please…bike packing with Nevil?