All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

@mrtonyd that was my other thought - a hammock. But, being a side sleeper, would that work out for me? If I was in the mountains the hammock would be fine. Some of the other routes I’ve thought of not sure, so that’s where the Tyvek sheet would work great that @Gunshot-6A mentions.

So I’ll have to look at that. The first route I’d likely do is only about a 20 minute drive from my house, or 20 miles or so on the bike. I plan to do a one night trip to see how it is and go from there - here’s the area https://bikepacking.com/routes/cabezon-peak-overnighter/

I’ve done most of this route as a day trip and enjoyed it, so it would be nice to be able to take off from the house and ride and find a spot to sleep, then finish the route and head home.

As for my bike, I’d be on my Cutthroat, so I could add a rack on the back that would connect to the seat stays. Lots of options on this bike for this kind of stuff.

And yes, the GDMBR route - no way I could do that in one go. Crazy seeing some of the videos from those that do it. I’d like to leave from Cuba, New Mexico and head south to Pie Town or so. Or, get to a spot where I could ride to the border in 3-4 days.

Either way, looking forward to a few trips this year.

 

I'm a sidesleeper as well and don't find them very comfortable beyond napping in. Some people love them though. Bigger reason I wouldn't bring one is a lot of routes I do don't have a lot of trees on part or all of the route. Kinda risky if you don't know the route well.

Enjoy the route research. One of the aspects I like about bikepacking the most is going through maps to piece routes together.

 

Oh gawd….makes me sick to my stomach watching that. WTF…. Ha!

 

What a good looking pup! Is he an Australian shepherd poodle mix?

 

I'm down if you are.

 

Speaking of White Line, Yoann Barelli's commentary is hilarious.

https://www.mbr.co.uk/news/trail_news/yoann-barelli-white-line-372293

 

The more I looked at the drj0n system, the more I liked the EXP option you listed better for that style of design. The 1.7KG weight limit (and recommended less) seemed like too likely a failure point. At least the Salsa has an 8 pound limit which gives a bit more "safety factor". I've since put in an order cancellation request. I'll have to look at the harness style a bit more, but that may be the way to go.

 

How was EaMo riding? Been wanting to get outr there, but didn't feel like making the drive down for a mudfest like some make it sound.

Also didn't want to see how bad the construction has buggered some of the trails myself and others worked hard on

 

A few downed trees and some snow, at Tiger Mountain. Post ride picture, simply to include a bit of the Tacoma.

 

Dug out the near 20yo sleeping bag. I think it will work to start off. I wouldn’t just use the two bunnies to mount to the bars, but wanted to see if it would at least fit between and it does. This is where that mount above or the Salsa mount would help stabilize it so it’s not bouncing. But, with the sleeping bag here, a frame bag, fork mounts, a dry pack attached to the seat tube and my top tube bag, I could be good for an over night trip, perhaps two nights if I can figure out water unless I have access to a store.

I did look at my tent…no way I’d try to carry that thing! It’s much bigger than I thought. So, a tyvek sheet and a sleeping pad is all I would have to buy and I can do that cheap on Amazon. I even found my old blue camping tarp, but It just doesn’t fold down as small as tyvek would.

 

What he say?

 

I'm a side sleeper too, and no, not the most comfortable. I tended to toss and turn every hour or two the last couple of times sleeping in my hammock. Maybe it was too cold though? I've had good nights in there. I got a similar night's sleep last time I went backpacking too though... Maybe I'm just used to the mattress in my rtt.

 

yeah. same. i walked the portal stuff. that shit's scary enough. everything else I can ride no problem.

Let's do it. Was gonna do a shakedown around the wedge area and see how things worked out before committing. Got my gravel rig just about ready.

 

The pronghorn has worked pretty well for me so far. Its more or less the same design as the regular Revelate harness. Only issue is it does chafe on my headtube. I figured it would, so I put a layer of gorilla tape on there. The cables also get smushed a bit but not too bad given the spacers.

Bedrock makes a handlebar bag specific to new geo and shorter stems that looks interesting. https://www.bedrockbags.com/gear/moab-handlebar-bag Not sure it helps that much with cable interference, and would likely have the same issue with head tube rub. Supposed to be more stable though which is a plus. On the downside I use a feedbag type bag on one or both sides, and you can't use those with the Moab bag.

I may still give the Salsa cradle a try at some point when I've got the cash. I don't know anyone who's used it at this point so I haven't been able to check one out in person. Post up once you've ordered something.

 

All this talk of bikepacking has me wanting to dip a toe in it with my packraft. From my quick google map recon I think I could do this as a single overnighter. Starts with a 6 mile ride from my house to the river, float down the Flint to the Tennessee River 11 miles, 5.75 miles on the Tennessee River, 4.5 miles up the greenway then 5 miles up Green Mountain rd. So pedaling about 16.5 miles and about the same on the water. The water moves pretty slowly so I'm not sure how long its going to take me to do that. Any ideas on how to calculate that time on the water? @jjones.yota I have a second packraft if you are feeling froggy

 

Here's an older pic of my bikepacking rig before I ever got it dirty. Currently planning a few overnighters for March and April in VA/NC/GA/TN areas if anyone wants to join. There are a ton of good 75-100 mile loops to choose from.

 

What in the hell is a pack raft? And I’m sure as hell not climbing up green mountain back to your house haha!

 

Thanks! Yup, "Aussie-Doodle". He's a ridiculous dog, springy, happy, excited every minute. He rode 9 miles, about 1400 ft, and was still jumping around when we got back to the truck. He rocked it!

It'll be fine by tomorrow. Was a bit muddy in places, but most of it was GTG. Everything in the shade needs a few more days, but with the sun and warm temps coming up it should be ready.
Didn't notice much in terms of trail changes though? They cleaned up the landing on the big jump on the bottom of Cricket, other than that it looked the same. Where were there supposed to be changes?

 

Apparently the base of Supersonic got graded for a street. Haven't been out, but some say it was overexaggerated. IDK. We'll see.

 

Not a kayak but similar size. Meant to be rolled up and used to portage over land. We could also have our better halves pick us up at the bottom of the hill.