A buddy and I, both from Chicago also, have caught the bike camping bug for sure! last year we did the Katy Trail in Missouri and this year we did Pittsburgh to DC using the GAP and C&O trail. Both excellent trails! Hoping to convince him to do the Empire Trail from Buffalo to NYC next summer. Amtrak has been super convenient for us to travel with our bikes,,,even if it's not the fastest and sometimes with some delays. I have also snuck in some shorter camping trips like the one I mentioned on your Milwaukee post,,,I've done the Indiana Dunes and the Illinois state park in Zion Illinois as one day trips. Great to see like minded people in our city! Happy trails my friend!
I've moved away from using anything cages on my front fork. While they are really useful, I noticed my bike handled much better without the front fork bags during a ride last year. But If you need the space, avoid using them for food, as the weight fluctuates during the ride. Instead, store items you don't need to reach during the day store stuff thats lightweight and need at camp . For instance, I place the inner part of the tent on the right side and the fly on the left side in the anything bags. This way, the weight remains consistent throughout the ride. Additionally, if the tent is packed wet, the fly won't contaminate the inner tent since they are separated. The tent light enough that it wont effect handling of the front forks
First, if you're keeping your bike, I recommend getting a custom frame bag made by JPaks, Bike Bag Dude, or Merit Gear. This way, you can maximize your frame space. Opt for a frame bag with two compartments: on the right side, store all your tools and spare bike parts; on the left side, place a Befree Gravity Feed 3-liter system with a mouthpiece connected to the hose and a magnet clip attached to the handlebar. This setup allows you to drink easily on the go, as the Befree has a built-in filter. You can just fill it with water and drink without needing a mini squeeze and small bag. Given your large frame, you could easily fit an additional 1-liter Befree bag, providing you with a total of 4 liters of water centrally located on the bike. This eliminates the need for a water bottle under the frame, which often gets covered in dirt. Ps if you want more tips just ask .. camera mounts front bag fork bags stem bags seatpost bags .. by reorganizing you setup you be able to carry more food more space and easier to find stuff ..
Thanks for all the awesome insights! Half the fun of this is dialing in the gear and upgrading…as the budget allows ;-) I like the idea of the full frame bag. I’ll suspect I’ll go that route at some point.I already had the half frame bag (along with panniers and rack for my old set up) and started working backwards from there with acquiring the other bags for this trip. Maybe I should have started with a full frame bag. I also figured I wanted to keep as much water weight in the lower triangle. A couple questions for you. Where are you storing food? Also, if it came to having weight or storage on the handle bars vs the forks what is your preference there. Thanks!
@@BikingZen For me, the gear is definitely half the fun. The main priorities are water and space for food. I used to pack all my gear first and then figure out where to put food and water. Now, I start with space for food and water, then add the gear, so I never run out of essentials while touring. Switching from narrow front handlebar roll bags to a Sea to Summit large Event Bag made packing much easier. Inside the Event Bag, I pack my sleeping bag, and inside the sleeping bag i put in the air pad, pillow, headlamp, and base camp clothes. I also keep my spare clothes, except for rain gear, at the bottom. This way, after setting up my tent from the front fork bags, I just bring the Event Bag into the tent and have everything I need for sleeping and changing clothes. Most of my clothes are merino wool, which doesn’t stink. I think Sea to Summit has a new HD Event Bag now, but I use the old style, which works fine. But think the new design would be better as it black and match my setup better .Attached to the front Event Bag is my wash kit. If I don’t have enough water to wash in the morning, it’s easily accessible so I can freshen up quickly when I come across a river, stream, or tap.
Loved your video. I ride a surly bridge club...mostly on roads here in LA....I'll be riding it on next year's ALC2025 ride. Planning on taking amtrak up to Seattle then ride down the PCBR to SF to connect with the ALC ride back to LA. Trying to balance out my 42lbs of gear over my bike.
Steve!!! That sounds so wonderful! And what a fun rig. I’m wrapping up my summer and going back to teach. I’m already missing the freedom to ride day-after-day-after-day.
Cool video man … reminds me of my first setup 15 years ago when first started bikepacking my setup has for sure evolved over the years from what i call trail and error .. but your on the right track at the end when you mention larger bag at the front .. i write some tips i would do below
Insulated Air Core Long 25x78 is a great pad only one i bought that lasted so far 5 years and can find for 89$ also pillow by sea to summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow Large same thing comfortable and lasts year i think they even have life time warranty
@@TimothyDurnbaugh thanks Tim. I went with the Nemo Fillo pillow. Not as space saving as your setup but I like it so far and im willing to make room for it.
It’s slower for sure but I kinda love the bike and its ability to handle some single track. It’s A Kona sutra Ltd 2022, I bought the frame and wheels used DT Swiss 1900 wheel set (370 hub). I’m a big fan of the Victoria Mezcal’s and how they rolled.
A buddy and I, both from Chicago also, have caught the bike camping bug for sure! last year we did the Katy Trail in Missouri and this year we did Pittsburgh to DC using the GAP and C&O trail. Both excellent trails! Hoping to convince him to do the Empire Trail from Buffalo to NYC next summer. Amtrak has been super convenient for us to travel with our bikes,,,even if it's not the fastest and sometimes with some delays. I have also snuck in some shorter camping trips like the one I mentioned on your Milwaukee post,,,I've done the Indiana Dunes and the Illinois state park in Zion Illinois as one day trips. Great to see like minded people in our city! Happy trails my friend!
These all sound great! I’d love to GAP and Katy trails too! What’s on your bucket list for next year?!
I've moved away from using anything cages on my front fork. While they are really useful, I noticed my bike handled much better without the front fork bags during a ride last year. But If you need the space, avoid using them for food, as the weight fluctuates during the ride. Instead, store items you don't need to reach during the day store stuff thats lightweight and need at camp . For instance, I place the inner part of the tent on the right side and the fly on the left side in the anything bags. This way, the weight remains consistent throughout the ride. Additionally, if the tent is packed wet, the fly won't contaminate the inner tent since they are separated. The tent light enough that it wont effect handling of the front forks
First, if you're keeping your bike, I recommend getting a custom frame bag made by JPaks, Bike Bag Dude, or Merit Gear. This way, you can maximize your frame space. Opt for a frame bag with two compartments: on the right side, store all your tools and spare bike parts; on the left side, place a Befree Gravity Feed 3-liter system with a mouthpiece connected to the hose and a magnet clip attached to the handlebar. This setup allows you to drink easily on the go, as the Befree has a built-in filter. You can just fill it with water and drink without needing a mini squeeze and small bag. Given your large frame, you could easily fit an additional 1-liter Befree bag, providing you with a total of 4 liters of water centrally located on the bike. This eliminates the need for a water bottle under the frame, which often gets covered in dirt. Ps if you want more tips just ask .. camera mounts front bag fork bags stem bags seatpost bags .. by reorganizing you setup you be able to carry more food more space and easier to find stuff ..
Thanks for all the awesome insights! Half the fun of this is dialing in the gear and upgrading…as the budget allows ;-)
I like the idea of the full frame bag. I’ll suspect I’ll go that route at some point.I already had the half frame bag (along with panniers and rack for my old set up) and started working backwards from there with acquiring the other bags for this trip. Maybe I should have started with a full frame bag. I also figured I wanted to keep as much water weight in the lower triangle.
A couple questions for you. Where are you storing food? Also, if it came to having weight or storage on the handle bars vs the forks what is your preference there. Thanks!
@@BikingZen For me, the gear is definitely half the fun. The main priorities are water and space for food. I used to pack all my gear first and then figure out where to put food and water. Now, I start with space for food and water, then add the gear, so I never run out of essentials while touring.
Switching from narrow front handlebar roll bags to a Sea to Summit large Event Bag made packing much easier. Inside the Event Bag, I pack my sleeping bag, and inside the sleeping bag i put in the air pad, pillow, headlamp, and base camp clothes. I also keep my spare clothes, except for rain gear, at the bottom. This way, after setting up my tent from the front fork bags, I just bring the Event Bag into the tent and have everything I need for sleeping and changing clothes. Most of my clothes are merino wool, which doesn’t stink.
I think Sea to Summit has a new HD Event Bag now, but I use the old style, which works fine. But think the new design would be better as it black and match my setup better .Attached to the front Event Bag is my wash kit. If I don’t have enough water to wash in the morning, it’s easily accessible so I can freshen up quickly when I come across a river, stream, or tap.
@@BikingZen hope it helps
Loved your video. I ride a surly bridge club...mostly on roads here in LA....I'll be riding it on next year's ALC2025 ride. Planning on taking amtrak up to Seattle then ride down the PCBR to SF to connect with the ALC ride back to LA. Trying to balance out my 42lbs of gear over my bike.
Steve!!! That sounds so wonderful! And what a fun rig. I’m wrapping up my summer and going back to teach. I’m already missing the freedom to ride day-after-day-after-day.
Cool video man … reminds me of my first setup 15 years ago when first started bikepacking my setup has for sure evolved over the years from what i call trail and error .. but your on the right track at the end when you mention larger bag at the front .. i write some tips i would do below
The best thing about this is you said "should have" and not "should of"!
Insulated Air Core Long 25x78 is a great pad only one i bought that lasted so far 5 years and can find for 89$ also pillow by sea to summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow Large same thing comfortable and lasts year i think they even have life time warranty
I just pulled the trigger on the Big Agnes and fillo! I’m hoping next trip I sleep WAY more!!!
@@BikingZen big Agnes is a very good brand
As far as pillows go I use my clothes in a stuff sack tucked in a t-shirt.
@@TimothyDurnbaugh thanks Tim. I went with the Nemo Fillo pillow. Not as space saving as your setup but I like it so far and im willing to make room for it.
What merino wool shorts did you wear....I'm riding a brooks b17 saddle and don't like riding on the padded shorts
Amazon has a brand called Merino Protect. I’ve been happy with them and they don’t have any seams in the rear that cause issues for me!
What is the bike? And what r those hubs/tires? How was wide tires on pavement? Considering similar setup but concerned about width
It’s slower for sure but I kinda love the bike and its ability to handle some single track. It’s A Kona sutra Ltd 2022, I bought the frame and wheels used DT Swiss 1900 wheel set (370 hub). I’m a big fan of the Victoria Mezcal’s and how they rolled.