At 61 and recovering from some health issues racing, or even riding as fast as I can is not even a consideration anymore. My average speed now is around 13mph and I stop to take pictures and make memories. I see so many bikers just grinding away with Air Pods in and they never see or hear a thing around them. I much prefer to live in the moment and make memories for the last 20 years of my life. Now it's all about the journey, not Strava.
Well said. I'm a huge Mtb and I just like to go out and explore places. I dropped strava a long time ago and then went back and dropped it for good. I just find time tracking is cool but it often takes the joy out of riding for me.
Amen(!); I ride a single-speed and according to gaia pro average 7.3 m.p.h. I ride My ride and nobody else's. Also, I am Primarily a solo rider; really don't like a lot of people on the trail and am a lousy group person. I'll probably at some point in time piss someone off somehow... don't own much of a filter.
@@bartmullin8018 that's part of what makes cycling so darn good. We can go out with friends and have fun or just go solo for a full day of me time. I love riding solo since I can just go where I want, when I want and at whatever pace I want.
@@keithc5729 dude that's crazy! Must be a lot of climbing up there. I know down here the AZ trail isn't that bad till you hit Tucson and later have to hike the grand canyon while carrying your bike and gear.
Years ago, I’d get out to some beautiful areas while backpacking and then end up wishing I had my bike with me. The plus side is that you can go further in a day on a bike and it can carry most of the weight instead of it all being on your back. Touring on a mountain bike has been a great combo for sightseeing. Racing seems like a great way to test yourself at some point, to see what you’re truly capable of. Everyone is going to go about it a bit differently and that is part of the fun!
Nothing turns me off more than going on a bikepacking trip with racers who can't turn their racing sickness off and need to infect every ride with their competitive ego. It's made me pretty selective about who I still choose to trip with.
As someone who wants to do an extra big ride next summer, I'd say that you're lucky that you have people to choose *from* . I can't think of a single person that would want to come with me, that I would want to go with. 😕
I am mainly on the touring side. I love touring to allow me to see new things and enjoy it. Some days are still sufferfests, but others take me to amazing places in the middle of no where. I find it a peaceful time that allows for unwinding from daily stresses.
I really enjoyed this video, especially the section where you got into all the different ways where you can "do it right". I also enjoyed your grouping of the words, "bikepacking touring". For me, the distinction between "bikepacking" and "touring" has to do more with the gear that you use (i.e. framepacks and seatpacks vs panniers), but I think a lot of folks have a more narrow view of bikepacking to be limited to more technical singletrack as opposed to gravel, etc. And as someone who has a passion for promoting cycling resources in Kentucky, I LOVED hearing you reference a trip to Kentucky and seeing footage of the Sheltowee Trace. I'd love to hear more about your "exploratory trip in Kentucky".
Ah racing, (road, track, cyclo-cross, MTB, TTT,) did that for 30 years plus. NOW when I start breathing hard, I stop and take a picture, talk with people, or smell the flowers or pine. I did several bicycle tours back in the mid 70's too, with distances up to a maximum of 230 miles in a day. Now bikepacking is my chosen way to get into the backcountry, on a fatbike, with usually no more than 4-6 hours of riding per day. Keep pumping out the video material as it is always interesting whether I might agree with it all or not. I usually agree and think, yup learned that over 40 years ago. LOL. :)
Great video, as an old fat guy, I can't ever imagine myself racing, but this video raised some good points, and that opinion is less solidified now. good stuff, and this is the video that got me to subscribe
I'm definitely more of the touring type. For me it's all about getting outside and just taking it all in and having fun, even better if you have a friend or two with you. Racing is fun but I find that you often miss a lot since your so focused on trying to get those miles in.
Bikepacking is fun but if you do go with people be sure they share the pace vs just wanting to hammer out the miles as if you are different strength riders you'll burn yourself out if you are chasing all the time and cannot rest... it'll be a mental downer and just suck out the strength and enjoyment for you ... I learned this the hard way ... but just means I'll be better prepared when I try and go again ... where I all about sharing the experience as well as for the added safety factor of not being entirely alone it is a factor to consider
Great perspective and explanation on this topic. I feel like entering a race you're accepting to take your body and mind into places that it would rarely go otherwise. Always enjoying the vistas and camaraderie of other cyclists but understanding that you are alone in this extreme effort. Traditional bikepacking can still involve huge efforts, in fact, some of my most epic efforts have been bikepacking. But it is mostly about the overall experience of riding and enjoying yourself/friends. I have not yet done a proper multiday race but looking forward to this experience. Thanks again for the video, Neil!
Bikepacking is freedom to go or stop wherever or whenever you want. Breathe the fresh air...hear the sounds of nature...in essence...be free of schedules and relative time constraints...choose the people you want to socialize with not...go Solo...find yourself....push yourself..within the body and the mind...LIVE!.... SURVIVE!...THRIVE!...then limp back home and lick your wounds...after that, do it all again!....BETTER prepared...FASTER...STRONGER!...or not and if you are injured or sick with a slim hope of recovery......as I was this past year(not COVID)......you sit at home watching these videos....sucking inspiration/knowledge and pining for the day you return to the 2 wheeled horse...gotta love type 2 fun....thanks for these videos...keep up the great work!
I'm in this weird middle zone of going too fast for a tourer doing 70-100 miles a day, but definitely not pushing myself 20+ hours like a racer. Definitely want to test myself and do at least one race one day... i hope i don't get hooked. I know i'll get hooked. lol
I’ve always been cycling, as I’m Dutch (which pretty much explains it). My parents have been taking me on tours every summer since I was 7, I’m now 16. This summer, I cycled alone with my father and tried the racing mentality. We left my mother and my brothers at home, which made this possible. In the end, we rode 2100 km in 16 days with some night riding and lots of wild camping. I even rode my first double metric century. It definitely got me more into the racing type of stuff and I wanted to train more this year. My big goal is to ride a race like the transcontinental in 2025. Sad part is that I broke my cavicle in a bike accident yesterday, so I won’t be able to ride for at least a month. Going to try to fill this spare time with renovating some old bikes I have and doing more research into good training strategies and that.
This does not take away that I’m not going to do tours anymore. I’ve got some of my friends into touring as well, so I’ll be definitely doing that once on the bike again
Exactly! Just put on different hats, err... helmuts, whether you just noodle around town, weekend it, tour or race and enjoy being on your bike. It's all good.
Very interesting actually... I was a Randonneur for 30 years but also a roadie tourist. I got interested in gravel grinding a couple of years ago and decided to ride the back roads all over Vancouver Island. As a Rando I am intrigued by the concept of multiple day rides, but on back roads. So gravel racing also interests me. This weekend I'll be volunteering at the MIVA event to take a look. I am also a cross-country skier and this similar to the ski-touring versus 'citizen racer' phenom which is fairly casual and attracts all ages. And Randonneuring is not 'racing' but still quite difficult even if you go slowly. Randos do 200kms-1200kms with time limits. Backroad events 200km+ would be 'interesting'.
Great video - thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts on touring vs. racing. This past week I attempted to complete the Silk Road Mountain Route but was unsuccessful, completing just over half of the route before missing the deadline for the second checkpoint. I now realize that I approached the race with too much of a touring mentality, which I suppose is understandable as it was my first experience racing and my first experience using a bikepacking setup. Anyway, it's back to the simple pleasures of touring for me.
I'd say the Silk road mountain race kind of makes the difference in gear even smaller, as it takes rather long, the weather varies wildly, resupply options are limited as even the few shops don't really have much and without the possibility of emergency helicopters or such you shouldn't really be tooo close to the limit of what you can survive. So, a tent, warm pad and bag and a stove etc. might still be relevant. I had all of those, boiled noodles while I filled my pad most nights, and finished 10th in this years SRMR.
I did my first bikepacking trip last weekend. I'd been dreaming about it for a long time and now that Covid changed my work life to zero i figured -do it. I watched many BP videos and read lots.I had some bags because of long self supported racing. With a small frame finding the right mix was hard. I think I was over ambitious in my route choice and then got slammed with heavy storms - so much got wet and I didn't plan enough time for bad weather. I abandoned my route and routed myself back to the start point. As a 64 year old female who just keeps trying new stuff I was pretty proud of myself - but - I still want to improve the set up. I'd love to see a video that really talks about handling inclement weather. Also - though the unpacking your bags videos slightly addressed the issue of smaller bike frames and smaller riders - it wasn't enough. I also personally hated being zipped up in my tiny Big Agnes tent during the storm. I don't like not being able to see out. I think I'd prefer tarp sheltering with a bivy. Anyway - I'm down but not out. More videos about women bikepacking - not so many young dudes and dudettes drinking beer and making it all look like a piece of cake. it's not -rolling weight is hard. No bones about it. PS I am a collectivo member. when do you send those journals? I've never gotten one.
Awesome Beth. Sounds like a bit of trial by fire. Don't give up it should get easier. As a long time backpacker, I have been there with gear that didn't work or finding something that might work better. I will cross over to bike packing this spring. Really looking forward to it.
My buddies and I do both tours and races. The problems only arise when some of us are racing, and some are touring during the same ride. All joking aside, the Cross Florida "The Kings Road" Gravel race is only 3 months away. I am already losing sleep in anticipation.
When i go racing ,I call it an "event" and when i go bikepacking i call it "extended event" because I still have to get to A to B in a set time ,so long I finsh both it's a big PLUS in my book.
I’ve bikepacked 4 times so far but love it. My last trip happened to be the stagecoach 400 and I was only able to do 140 miles in 2 days before I figured out I was far enough off the pace to finish in my allotted time. I was definitely part of the touring group of the race. Met some great people that I will hopefully ride with again and I can’t wait to do it again. I am a very slow climber and know I would never place in anything but a DH or Enduro race so I just want to do the races for the camaraderie. I will definitely do the stagecoach next year and hopefully some other singletrack heavy 4-5 day events. Bones to Blue and the Colorado trail are on my list and if I’m the lanterne rouge so be it.
Great stuff. I’d love to see a video on how you carry camera gear on your bike. I’ve found a lot of ok solutions, but nothing great. It would be awesome to see some other ideas.
Personally I find racing demoralising. Typically seeing a bunch of strangers pedal off into the distance makes me feel inadequate. I then find it harder to pace myself. With a group who accept me occupying my own headspace and bodily limits I feel more comfortable.
Will try myself at my first bikepacking race, but I guess I'll be somewhere in between true racing and true touring: I want to have the best of both worlds, with 6hr sleep and hot coffee/porridge for breaky, but also will try to push my pace during the ride and ride over 100 miles per day (race distance is 280 miles). Not really competing, rather doing it for the experience of both long days in the saddle and minimalistic camping (with the idea of doing so bigger multiday challenges like Tour Divide or similar).
To me nothing screams immature noob louder than one claiming that the way they ride or outfit their bike is the only legitimate way to enjoy cycling. Kudos on the videos, your rig choices and your recent win!
my aim is to race the CTR one way.. hopefully from Denver to Durango. then spend a couple days in a hotel and tour my way back along the CTR at a leisurely pace back to Denver
I love riding long distances on my bike, but I've never actually done any bikepacking yet. I am considering riding across my state (Michigan) sometime next year. Why do I love biking? I love being out in the middle of nowhere with just me and God. His glory is clearly seen in the natural world.
I think that there is a middle ground, Enter the race, follow all the rules to the "T", but sleep as much as you want & take that 'zero day' when you need to. Plus you may get the best #DFL of your life.
Concise video but, definitely would never race again. Raced for a season at some local N.O.R.B.A. races in the distant past and found that I was completely burned-out by the middle part of October. I'd lost my love of the sport/lifestyle; training for racing is a giant pain(!). Also, found out as I've gotten older that racing is not my cup of tea and prefer to explore sans any pressure and engage my artistic side with my trusty Cannon G11 along the way (plus good beer and Cannibis...). Seeing new (to me) places, faces, and stories outside my usual universe helps keep me remotely sane. [Sadly, until the Spring of '22, I'm generally screwed thanks to all the fires and toxic smoke... And, I'd just got all the gear I need to bike-pack ironically (!)]
I think U'd find bikepacking racing & racers a whole different breed from NORBA. It's still a lot of type 2 fun, but around people U'll have a lot of respect for & find a lever of resourcefulness U never thought U had in U. Try it, U may like it
@@mikekrasovec6390 I live in Reno and even Carson City is smoke-infested (C.C. being roughly S.E. of Reno) and I'd have to ride in smoke to escape the smoke plus, return through the smoke. I don't own a truck or van and I am a sucky wrench so, the bike's not getting boxed. Additionally, I'm dealing with an ongoing sinus headache that only gets worse if I'm being too active in this craptacular situation.
Good video and explanation. Thanks. I’m not a racer but I do get it. I don’t think there is a right or wrong and, as with most activities, the competitive side of the sport helps push boundaries, develops gear and routes and shows what can be done. I think it’s great that racers like touring too. That’s not the same in other areas of cycle sport. I hope bikepack racing stays that way.
@@bartmullin8018 you can hitchhike or take a bus ride to somewhere north, south or west of the fires. For your ongoing sinus headache I recommend that you wear an n95 mask constantly and get a adequately sized hepa filter for your home. I also recommend that you try washing your sinuses out multiple times per day such as with a neti-pot.
watch this.... bikepacking.com/plog/what-is-bikepacking/ "Touring" is the word I casually use when I'm going out to sleep under the stars by way of bike, but there are some fundamental difference between off-road and on road "touring."
Ride how you enjoy riding and stop judging other who prefer a different kind of riding to yourself. They are not enjoying it any less than you are. Any kind of riding is cool as far as I'm concerned, even if it's not my style.
There are more demands on top spec racing bikes, so publishers like them to attract more ad dollars. Who cares (me) about the 'process' with a second-hand bike😂😍😑
Nailed it! "Your doing it right no matter how you swing it."
Exactly!
At 61 and recovering from some health issues racing, or even riding as fast as I can is not even a consideration anymore. My average speed now is around 13mph and I stop to take pictures and make memories. I see so many bikers just grinding away with Air Pods in and they never see or hear a thing around them. I much prefer to live in the moment and make memories for the last 20 years of my life. Now it's all about the journey, not Strava.
Well said. I'm a huge Mtb and I just like to go out and explore places. I dropped strava a long time ago and then went back and dropped it for good. I just find time tracking is cool but it often takes the joy out of riding for me.
Amen(!); I ride a single-speed and according to gaia pro average 7.3 m.p.h. I ride My ride and nobody else's. Also, I am Primarily a solo rider; really don't like a lot of people on the trail and am a lousy group person. I'll probably at some point in time piss someone off somehow... don't own much of a filter.
@@bartmullin8018 that's part of what makes cycling so darn good. We can go out with friends and have fun or just go solo for a full day of me time. I love riding solo since I can just go where I want, when I want and at whatever pace I want.
If your average speed is around 13 mph, that puts you up with the top pros. The winner of the Colorado trail race averaged about 4 mph.
@@keithc5729 dude that's crazy! Must be a lot of climbing up there. I know down here the AZ trail isn't that bad till you hit Tucson and later have to hike the grand canyon while carrying your bike and gear.
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I love the message your spreading, your doing it right!
Years ago, I’d get out to some beautiful areas while backpacking and then end up wishing I had my bike with me. The plus side is that you can go further in a day on a bike and it can carry most of the weight instead of it all being on your back. Touring on a mountain bike has been a great combo for sightseeing. Racing seems like a great way to test yourself at some point, to see what you’re truly capable of. Everyone is going to go about it a bit differently and that is part of the fun!
Nothing turns me off more than going on a bikepacking trip with racers who can't turn their racing sickness off and need to infect every ride with their competitive ego. It's made me pretty selective about who I still choose to trip with.
I actually laughed out loud at this. So spot on.
As someone who wants to do an extra big ride next summer, I'd say that you're lucky that you have people to choose *from* . I can't think of a single person that would want to come with me, that I would want to go with. 😕
I am mainly on the touring side. I love touring to allow me to see new things and enjoy it. Some days are still sufferfests, but others take me to amazing places in the middle of no where. I find it a peaceful time that allows for unwinding from daily stresses.
I really enjoyed this video, especially the section where you got into all the different ways where you can "do it right". I also enjoyed your grouping of the words, "bikepacking touring". For me, the distinction between "bikepacking" and "touring" has to do more with the gear that you use (i.e. framepacks and seatpacks vs panniers), but I think a lot of folks have a more narrow view of bikepacking to be limited to more technical singletrack as opposed to gravel, etc. And as someone who has a passion for promoting cycling resources in Kentucky, I LOVED hearing you reference a trip to Kentucky and seeing footage of the Sheltowee Trace. I'd love to hear more about your "exploratory trip in Kentucky".
Thanks, We are working on the cycling route for the website, it should be up on the site this fall. I may even have a fun video to share with it!
Ah racing, (road, track, cyclo-cross, MTB, TTT,) did that for 30 years plus. NOW when I start breathing hard, I stop and take a picture, talk with people, or smell the flowers or pine. I did several bicycle tours back in the mid 70's too, with distances up to a maximum of 230 miles in a day. Now bikepacking is my chosen way to get into the backcountry, on a fatbike, with usually no more than 4-6 hours of riding per day. Keep pumping out the video material as it is always interesting whether I might agree with it all or not. I usually agree and think, yup learned that over 40 years ago. LOL. :)
Great video, as an old fat guy, I can't ever imagine myself racing, but this video raised some good points, and that opinion is less solidified now. good stuff, and this is the video that got me to subscribe
🙏🏼🙏🏼
I'm definitely more of the touring type. For me it's all about getting outside and just taking it all in and having fun, even better if you have a friend or two with you. Racing is fun but I find that you often miss a lot since your so focused on trying to get those miles in.
Bikepacking is fun but if you do go with people be sure they share the pace vs just wanting to hammer out the miles as if you are different strength riders you'll burn yourself out if you are chasing all the time and cannot rest... it'll be a mental downer and just suck out the strength and enjoyment for you ... I learned this the hard way ... but just means I'll be better prepared when I try and go again ... where I all about sharing the experience as well as for the added safety factor of not being entirely alone it is a factor to consider
Great perspective and explanation on this topic. I feel like entering a race you're accepting to take your body and mind into places that it would rarely go otherwise. Always enjoying the vistas and camaraderie of other cyclists but understanding that you are alone in this extreme effort. Traditional bikepacking can still involve huge efforts, in fact, some of my most epic efforts have been bikepacking. But it is mostly about the overall experience of riding and enjoying yourself/friends. I have not yet done a proper multiday race but looking forward to this experience. Thanks again for the video, Neil!
Bikepacking is freedom to go or stop wherever or whenever you want. Breathe the fresh air...hear the sounds of nature...in essence...be free of schedules and relative time constraints...choose the people you want to socialize with not...go Solo...find yourself....push yourself..within the body and the mind...LIVE!.... SURVIVE!...THRIVE!...then limp back home and lick your wounds...after that, do it all again!....BETTER prepared...FASTER...STRONGER!...or not and if you are injured or sick with a slim hope of recovery......as I was this past year(not COVID)......you sit at home watching these videos....sucking inspiration/knowledge and pining for the day you return to the 2 wheeled horse...gotta love type 2 fun....thanks for these videos...keep up the great work!
I'm in this weird middle zone of going too fast for a tourer doing 70-100 miles a day, but definitely not pushing myself 20+ hours like a racer. Definitely want to test myself and do at least one race one day... i hope i don't get hooked.
I know i'll get hooked. lol
Listening to Neil talk about biking is like listening to Al Michaels talk about Baseball… all day everyday and more after that please! 🙌🏻
I’ve always been cycling, as I’m Dutch (which pretty much explains it). My parents have been taking me on tours every summer since I was 7, I’m now 16. This summer, I cycled alone with my father and tried the racing mentality. We left my mother and my brothers at home, which made this possible. In the end, we rode 2100 km in 16 days with some night riding and lots of wild camping. I even rode my first double metric century. It definitely got me more into the racing type of stuff and I wanted to train more this year. My big goal is to ride a race like the transcontinental in 2025. Sad part is that I broke my cavicle in a bike accident yesterday, so I won’t be able to ride for at least a month. Going to try to fill this spare time with renovating some old bikes I have and doing more research into good training strategies and that.
This does not take away that I’m not going to do tours anymore. I’ve got some of my friends into touring as well, so I’ll be definitely doing that once on the bike again
You should try Randonneuring. Paris-Brest-Paris is coming up in a couple of years.
Very good video, your best so far I think!!
Love this analysis, Neil. Cheers.
Exactly! Just put on different hats, err... helmuts, whether you just noodle around town, weekend it, tour or race and enjoy being on your bike. It's all good.
Great video, thanks! And if this video didnt get you excited about bikepacking, check your pulse😉✌🏻
Very interesting actually... I was a Randonneur for 30 years but also a roadie tourist. I got interested in gravel grinding a couple of years ago and decided to ride the back roads all over Vancouver Island. As a Rando I am intrigued by the concept of multiple day rides, but on back roads. So gravel racing also interests me. This weekend I'll be volunteering at the MIVA event to take a look. I am also a cross-country skier and this similar to the ski-touring versus 'citizen racer' phenom which is fairly casual and attracts all ages. And Randonneuring is not 'racing' but still quite difficult even if you go slowly. Randos do 200kms-1200kms with time limits. Backroad events 200km+ would be 'interesting'.
Great video - thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts on touring vs. racing. This past week I attempted to complete the Silk Road Mountain Route but was unsuccessful, completing just over half of the route before missing the deadline for the second checkpoint. I now realize that I approached the race with too much of a touring mentality, which I suppose is understandable as it was my first experience racing and my first experience using a bikepacking setup. Anyway, it's back to the simple pleasures of touring for me.
I'd say the Silk road mountain race kind of makes the difference in gear even smaller, as it takes rather long, the weather varies wildly, resupply options are limited as even the few shops don't really have much and without the possibility of emergency helicopters or such you shouldn't really be tooo close to the limit of what you can survive. So, a tent, warm pad and bag and a stove etc. might still be relevant. I had all of those, boiled noodles while I filled my pad most nights, and finished 10th in this years SRMR.
I did my first bikepacking trip last weekend. I'd been dreaming about it for a long time and now that Covid changed my work life to zero i figured -do it. I watched many BP videos and read lots.I had some bags because of long self supported racing. With a small frame finding the right mix was hard. I think I was over ambitious in my route choice and then got slammed with heavy storms - so much got wet and I didn't plan enough time for bad weather. I abandoned my route and routed myself back to the start point. As a 64 year old female who just keeps trying new stuff I was pretty proud of myself - but - I still want to improve the set up. I'd love to see a video that really talks about handling inclement weather. Also - though the unpacking your bags videos slightly addressed the issue of smaller bike frames and smaller riders - it wasn't enough. I also personally hated being zipped up in my tiny Big Agnes tent during the storm. I don't like not being able to see out. I think I'd prefer tarp sheltering with a bivy. Anyway - I'm down but not out. More videos about women bikepacking - not so many young dudes and dudettes drinking beer and making it all look like a piece of cake. it's not -rolling weight is hard. No bones about it. PS I am a collectivo member. when do you send those journals? I've never gotten one.
Awesome Beth. Sounds like a bit of trial by fire. Don't give up it should get easier. As a long time backpacker, I have been there with gear that didn't work or finding something that might work better. I will cross over to bike packing this spring. Really looking forward to it.
My buddies and I do both tours and races. The problems only arise when some of us are racing, and some are touring during the same ride. All joking aside, the Cross Florida "The Kings Road" Gravel race is only 3 months away. I am already losing sleep in anticipation.
When i go racing ,I call it an "event" and when i go bikepacking i call it "extended event" because I still have to get to A to B in a set time ,so long I finsh both it's a big PLUS in my book.
I’ve bikepacked 4 times so far but love it. My last trip happened to be the stagecoach 400 and I was only able to do 140 miles in 2 days before I figured out I was far enough off the pace to finish in my allotted time. I was definitely part of the touring group of the race. Met some great people that I will hopefully ride with again and I can’t wait to do it again. I am a very slow climber and know I would never place in anything but a DH or Enduro race so I just want to do the races for the camaraderie. I will definitely do the stagecoach next year and hopefully some other singletrack heavy 4-5 day events. Bones to Blue and the Colorado trail are on my list and if I’m the lanterne rouge so be it.
Are we just going to ignore the obvious Tom Selleck/Magnum PI homage going on?
Great stuff. I’d love to see a video on how you carry camera gear on your bike. I’ve found a lot of ok solutions, but nothing great. It would be awesome to see some other ideas.
Personally I find racing demoralising. Typically seeing a bunch of strangers pedal off into the distance makes me feel inadequate. I then find it harder to pace myself. With a group who accept me occupying my own headspace and bodily limits I feel more comfortable.
Will try myself at my first bikepacking race, but I guess I'll be somewhere in between true racing and true touring: I want to have the best of both worlds, with 6hr sleep and hot coffee/porridge for breaky, but also will try to push my pace during the ride and ride over 100 miles per day (race distance is 280 miles). Not really competing, rather doing it for the experience of both long days in the saddle and minimalistic camping (with the idea of doing so bigger multiday challenges like Tour Divide or similar).
Racing is just bikepacking with less sleep.
I was checking times for the AZ trail race and what you said really sums it up.
To me nothing screams immature noob louder than one claiming that the way they ride or outfit their bike is the only legitimate way to enjoy cycling. Kudos on the videos, your rig choices and your recent win!
Neil your the best!!!
Much love Greg!
my aim is to race the CTR one way.. hopefully from Denver to Durango. then spend a couple days in a hotel and tour my way back along the CTR at a leisurely pace back to Denver
7:33 is an all time look!
Well said. I like to "race" but I also like to tour. I agree, there is no right way to bike pack. Just get out there and enjoy yourself and nature!
I have only done one race but I can agree with not taking a sleeping mat. After the first night I couldn't be bothered to use it
Never raced. Never had a desire to do so. I have bikepacked thousands of miles though. At 68 years old, I am now "built for comfort, not for speed."
I love riding long distances on my bike, but I've never actually done any bikepacking yet. I am considering riding across my state (Michigan) sometime next year. Why do I love biking? I love being out in the middle of nowhere with just me and God. His glory is clearly seen in the natural world.
I like watching landscapes and listening to birds
Just do it your way--what is more right!
I think that there is a middle ground, Enter the race, follow all the rules to the "T", but sleep as much as you want & take that 'zero day' when you need to. Plus you may get the best #DFL of your life.
what handlebar harness is that at 7:37 timestamp? doesnt look like the pronghorn?
It's from Outershell, and it's one of my favs, a bit more heavy duty than the Pronghorn. outershell.com/shop/stuff-sack-harness
Neil, hi! Thank you for your videos. what training program do you use? I saw that you had it all organised on your laptop diary.
That is TrainingPeaks, it's a program that works well with coaching. My coach fills it in every week and I try and make it all happen.
Concise video but, definitely would never race again. Raced for a season at some local N.O.R.B.A. races in the distant past and found that I was completely burned-out by the middle part of October. I'd lost my love of the sport/lifestyle; training for racing is a giant pain(!).
Also, found out as I've gotten older that racing is not my cup of tea and prefer to explore sans any pressure and engage my artistic side with my trusty Cannon G11 along the way (plus good beer and Cannibis...). Seeing new (to me) places, faces, and stories outside my usual universe helps keep me remotely sane.
[Sadly, until the Spring of '22, I'm generally screwed thanks to all the fires and toxic smoke... And, I'd just got all the gear I need to bike-pack ironically (!)]
I think U'd find bikepacking racing & racers a whole different breed from NORBA. It's still a lot of type 2 fun, but around people U'll have a lot of respect for & find a lever of resourcefulness U never thought U had in U.
Try it, U may like it
You can still travel to somewhere that isn't burning and/or in a massive smoke cloud.
@@mikekrasovec6390 I live in Reno and even Carson City is smoke-infested (C.C. being roughly S.E. of Reno) and I'd have to ride in smoke to escape the smoke plus, return through the smoke. I don't own a truck or van and I am a sucky wrench so, the bike's not getting boxed. Additionally, I'm dealing with an ongoing sinus headache that only gets worse if I'm being too active in this craptacular situation.
Good video and explanation. Thanks. I’m not a racer but I do get it. I don’t think there is a right or wrong and, as with most activities, the competitive side of the sport helps push boundaries, develops gear and routes and shows what can be done. I think it’s great that racers like touring too. That’s not the same in other areas of cycle sport. I hope bikepack racing stays that way.
@@bartmullin8018 you can hitchhike or take a bus ride to somewhere north, south or west of the fires. For your ongoing sinus headache I recommend that you wear an n95 mask constantly and get a adequately sized hepa filter for your home. I also recommend that you try washing your sinuses out multiple times per day such as with a neti-pot.
Love the videos..anyone know the make of the helmet flashlight mount shown at 5:01?
Thanks. It’s made by Exposure. exposurelights.com/products/bike/brackets-and-mounts
Is bicycle touring different to bicycle packing?
watch this.... bikepacking.com/plog/what-is-bikepacking/
"Touring" is the word I casually use when I'm going out to sleep under the stars by way of bike, but there are some fundamental difference between off-road and on road "touring."
Ride how you enjoy riding and stop judging other who prefer a different kind of riding to yourself.
They are not enjoying it any less than you are.
Any kind of riding is cool as far as I'm concerned, even if it's not my style.
There are more demands on top spec racing bikes, so publishers like them to attract more ad dollars. Who cares (me) about the 'process' with a second-hand bike😂😍😑