Just to piggy back on this; Store your wet tent away from your sleeping bag/sleeping pad. Nothing worse than pulling out your already soggy sleeping bag when setting up camp.
As a backpacker I would think a tarp would be the solution right? Quick set up and you can cover both you and your bike while setting up a dry tent right?
@@ljdunsmore1yeah this sounds fabulous. I've never done a bike trip yet but I think they're mindset is something along the lines of" a tarp is just another item to take on a already quite big list of items one has to carry on a bike"
I went hiking, I know not biking, and had a 45L backpack, which I filled. I did finish the hike, 45 miles, but learned very quickly not to pack just because you have the space. Plan what you will take with you and buy the size bags you need, not what you think you will need. The problem with big bags is that people tend to fill them up with “unnecessary” stuff with the thinking “ I may need that”. FWIW - There is n old rule in the boating world, put a piece of tape on something you think that you really don’t need, remove the tape when you use it, after 6 months if the tape hasn’t been removed, get rid of it you don’t need it. Carrying it for six months on bike packing trips is ridiculous, but have a system for getting rid of stuff you really don’t need.
Your boating world tip is really good. When i was starting out backpacking, I did something similar except intentionally overpacked on a few shorter trips, and kept a log of everything I used. Did that a few times and whatever wasn't in the log, was cut out entirely - except for things like first aid kits and the like, which are hopefully never used lol.
I did the reverse mistake on a bike packing tour. It was 500km, so I thought one pair of bib shorts should be enough. On the second day I ripped these shorts during a brake. They tor at a place that didn't leave much to imagination. As a result, I rode the last 230km in my summer pajama pants. That why I now always carry a second pair of bibs, even if it's only for 2 days.
Something I learned from Neil in a previous UA-cam video... As a good way to avoid saddle sores. Always take two different pairs of bike nicks (bib shorts) because they each have differing pressure spots on your groin. Alternate the bib shorts every other day. This also allows the chamois to dry out fully so it has less bacteria. Every night and every morning and after every toileting, clean your bum with baby wipes. Prevent saddle sores before they happen.
My mistake on my first trip I planned by myself was that I didn't take into consideration the different levels of fitness of my riding partner. If you're going on a trip or even just a normal ride always take the weakest link of the group into consideration.
Its pretty rare to find people that ride at the same pace. I am the weakest link whenever my son and I ride. I had to learn that I don't need to try and keep up. It takes away from the ride. He had to learn that it's ok to just ride ahead. I'll catch up eventually. That being said, sharing your location on Google Maps can be helpful keeping track of each other.
Excellent point. Although it is nice to be "inclusive", it is also nice to arrive where you want in the daylight hours. Choose your riding partner carefully.
My biggest mistake bikepacking was not investigating why I felt so awful when exerting myself. I realized later I was bonking, but figured it was due to a lack of fitness rather than a nutritional issue. My body demands large amounts of electrolytes and knowing that has fixed the problem.
Or any riding long distances. Electrolytes are absolutely required for me, and I think most people could benefit from them if they ever sweat at all. Real food is great, but it isn't always easy to digest or even carry. Also, as someone said down below, rough surfaces take more out of you than the road, I have adjusted my distance expectations accordingly.
I learned the same thing on my first trip. Day 3 was the worst. Next year I did the same route but brought electrolytes. Night and day difference. I gave some to my son to try after I noticed him struggling and he immediately perked up. Now we just keep a supply in the cupboard for spur of the moment long rides or when the weather gets hot. On the flip side of weather, when it gets cold, you need even more energy because some of your calories are being spent keeping you warm. Riding in cold weather to me makes everything tougher.
Puncture resistant tires don't just help with road hazards (nails, debris, etc). They also help where the rocks are sharp. Also, even if riding tubeless, I would still recommend bringing 2 spare tubes and plugs. Both of these things were figured out on the same trip.
On longer Tours staying in town too much is a mistake. I found myself in crappy motels when I would have been much happier in my tent on a mountain pass...then when I leave town I can't take advantage of the resupply points because I'm up too early and I don't want to wait for shops to open.
Check your chain, All. This past weekend I was doing a quick overnight’r with a friend. Texts were exchanged, meeting point and time established. I throw a leg over the bike and snap. Upon further inspection the chain was cracked more than 20 times. More plates were broken than a carnival shooting game. I’m very lucky that I made it back from my last 4 day trip without any issues. Great tips, Neil. Thanks for continuing to share your knowledge.
Not bringing enough! Well to be clear, it wasn't my mistake. A friend decided to go ultra, ultra light on our first trip together. He would have ended up with cold freeze dried food that tasted like iodine, if he hadn't used my filter to get fresh water and my stove to boil it. Since I only had a one man tent, he did end up sleeping face down in dirt in a bivy sack (that he left the pole for at home) and no pad. He still claims to this day that he was fine, but I saw his face in the morning 🤣
My biggest mistake was no rain jacket because it was "only three days and no rain in the forecast". Fortunate to find a nice running jacket at a second hand store, but I was pretty cold by then. Biggest adjustment was to use Schwalbe Marathon plus tires as I would rather deal with a little more rolling resistance and weight than deal with flat tires.
That's a great sum up, I've definitely made some of these mistakes in the past! Especially the backpack. Cycling 5000km with one is still felt 10 years later.... For the 'biting off too much' mistake I'd say terrain is also a huge factor. The Baja Divide might be fair in climbs, but the terrain will knock you down way faster than on other routes, such as the Wolf's Lair.
All good points! Also, during summer months - bring sandles! Weighs next to nothing, easy to strap on whatever bag you’re using. Happy feet are not aching feet is happy you.
Nice list that I appreciate as a newbie. On my last local Sub 24 hr trip I made so many mistakes that lead to pulling the plug: Had to change plans due to a trail closure, but didn't actually map the new route which was much tougher going than I planned. I stayed at work too long which meant I ran out of daylight without proper lights. Turned around and headed home after getting sketched out riding on a windy road w/ no shoulder at dusk So...bring lights (even if you don't think you need them), actually study your route beforehand, and for god's sake clear your work calendar so you can get on the trail!
Always ride check your bike fitment prior to a long endurance event. Minor tweaks to your saddle, handle bars, pedals prior to your ride could have you uncomfortable or hurt during your ride. Dial it in the week before your ride and mark your settings with a paint marker if you have to ship and assemble your bike.
Not renewing a tube patch kit. Quite inexpensive considering the alternative. I went to patch a tube the other day (on my porch... Thank God!), because it was going to be a bit before I was able to go to my LBS. The vulcanizing fluid tube was completely dried up! And yes... I'm actually talking tubes here. As a shop mechanic, I tend to save the tubeless mess for my mountain bike, and simply make an effort to avoid pinch flat situations on my other bikes. 🙂
My last big trip I sent my stove and all my cooking gear home. Never really missed it and got pretty good at eating raw real food and packing leftovers from my town stops. I now pack to make my riding more fun and accept that the camp experience may be a little on the spartan side. I'm out there to ride!
Any hot tips for cold food that isnt wrapped in bread? I don't think ditching the stove is possible for me, being allergic to wheat, but I'd really love to figure out a way.
@@justinbogart278 Maybe you could take along a few ziplock baggies filled with pre-boiled rice? I always take a couple of bananas, a couple of apples, some packets of dried cranberries, and a small jar of peanut butter.
Three of us riding for several days in Scotland. Tubeless tyres. Pinch flat that nicked the side wall. 1 pump left at home 2nd pump left... In the car (a ferry ride away). 2x.CO2 cylinders used... tyre flatted again. 3rd pump... broke. 🤬. Tyre wouldn't re-seat (even with tube) onto rim properly. And we were all on different wheel sizes (1x 650B, 1x 26", 1x 700c). Managed eventually to get about 35psi in it, get back very carefully to road. Had to take a tarmac road rather than off road for the last day back to the ferry. Just about got away with it, but lessons learned. (We'll be serious over-packing on tools, spare tyres, tubes, pumps etc etc next time !!!
A nice rear rack with a trunk bag or small to medium size duffle bag does work very nicely and a lot more secured than riding with those big saddle bags that sways all over the place.
I live in a very remote part of Canada and route planning is difficult. I plan my route with Google maps or Gaia GPS and the road isn't there and I am left backtracking many miles trying to figure out alternative route. I bikepack alone so it sucks getting lost. I had to cut through a field and walk my bike and my Garmin edge fell to the ground, when I realized it was gone I had to walk back and look for it in the tall grass. Still very new and every adventure I do learn from mistakes.
my biggest mistake is to not take a day off on longer trips. Once I start wearing down, there is no way to bounce back other than to take a day's rest.
Great video Neil. One tip I would add is different coloured tabs either on bags or panniers. This helps you remember where you keep certain things. If everything has a place it's much easier to find it or notice it's missing ie a headtorch that's fallen i. Long grass and so on
These tips work! One thing that bugs me when people talk about touring and bikepacking is not clarifying the difference between available packing space and the space needed for the stuff you'd normally carry on a trip. I might be old school but the way I see it there should always be extra space for luxury items like food and toilet paper. The good thing about panniers is that after you've thrown in your ultralight gear there's still room for a big loaf bread, some cheese, vegetables, fruits, good coffee and real food you can cook. Not just energybars and those restaurant priced "just ad water" meals from trekking stores.
I think that's one of the differences between bikepacking and touring: Last year I went with a set of panniers and a rear rack and for exactly that reasons - there's so much space after you pack the UL gear - I always brought so many more luxury items then I needed that I really learned to hate these big panniers. The upcoming seasons I'll be going with barely anything on top of the essentials 😌👌
@@ignatiustremor I know people do that and it works just fine. The only limiting factor is that if I don't have extra space for food, I'll have to plan the next leg more carefully to be able to resupply. In other words spending hours at an interesting location that you suddenly come across gets harder. Allthough people tend to refer such incidents (cycling hours on end being hungry) as heroic strugles, most would see them as beginner mistakes. But again it's not rocket science. There's no single correct way to do it. I just carry the essentials but don't want to count grams when it comes to food.
@veijopitkanen8385 I guess your right mate! Saving too much on food might be constraining. I guess what too much is and what to little really depends on the possibilities to restock during the trip.
Have mailed home heavier u locks . Now always use a gram scale to keep weights low. Took pictures of stuff that worked for me so now have a reference for next tour.
Gotta give a shout out to couscous, expands a lot with cooking, only requires a boiling water, and you can get flavored packets from your local supermarket quite cheaply. It's quite filling and goes great with pretty much anything, it became my go to last year
Similarly, I took some potatoe gnocchi on my recent trip. Very filling. Packs down easily, and easy to prepare. On one night I paired this with tomatoe soup and some finely chopped shallot.
@@lutube9710 great response. I'll also add that you need to keep shelter, raincoat, etc. and things accessible first in the pack so that you're not digging through crap to get to your rain coat or first aid kid... especially the first aid kit!
Dangling strap! I had a webbing cam strap holding down a bag on my back rack. I left the tail long, not wanting to cut it down and make the strap less useful for bigger loads or something. Well, the tail got loose, wrapped around the hub and tightened like a boa constrictor. It crushed my titanium pot, and crunched the heavy-duty Salsa rack to within millimeters of my tire. This happened in the middle of an amazing downhill on the Western Wildlands Route. It felt like I had just laid on the emergency brake hard, but fortunately the travel involved in crushing the pot and rack provided some "give" and I didn't crash. I banged out the pot and the rack was (barely) usable for the rest of the ride, but I'll never leave a strap that long again.
I find that when my snack food is not easily and readily available I will forgo eating and keep riding because I don't want to stop to find and access the food, so now I try to have snacks easily accessible in pockets on my jersey, hip bag or front bag.
Great video Neil! I made most of these mistakes on my first big ride. On my cross country trip from California to Maine I overpacked by a long-shot, my bike weighed over 100lbs when I started, and I was carrying a 35liter backpack on top of that! 😂 With me was all sorts of cooking equipment, I had a 1.2liter campers pressure cooker that sherpas use in the Himalayas, dry goods like rice, lentils, and a spice kit, even a microplane to mince ginger. While I’ll be the first to admit that being overloaded can wear you out, I still really like bringing to pressure cooker though, it’s my luxury item, but it feels like such a treat to make a nice dal/curry in the middle of nowhere. In hindsight, the thing that I would pack less of would be clothing. Even on multi day trips, you really don’t need more than 3 of anything. That trip taught me just how little I actually needed to have a good time.
If you are riding with any suspension, make sure your shake out rides include getting all the way through your travel. I used to take mellow shake out rides then realize once I was actually moving through my travel I was wearing into my bags
Great information ℹ️ Its almost been two years since i last rode with a backpack, sooooo happy. Going to flats (1 less pair of shoes)and a few less clothes & ✅👍. Being able to set up tent without unpacking bike fist was a massive breakthrough. Cheers again mate🦘☮️
When it comes to camping backyard or, otherwise, very very local car camping seems underrated for testing gear these days. Especially if you can do it when the weather is at its worst (or thereabouts) at your home.
Last year I did the Finger Lakes Overnighter. My bike wasn't shifting right before I left, and found my thru axle was loose. That wasn't the problem. I had a broken hub. I finally got home, took off the rear wheel and the cassette and that part of the driver and hub fell away from the bike. Very glad I didn't take it off during the trip.
Your climbing scale needs to add 0: Florida. I rode from Amelia Island to Key West last year; 688 miles and 1,300' of TOTAL climbing, all of it bridges. 😂
Such a super helpful video Neil! I love that you are all willing to share the awkward, learned from experience moments! These things happen to the me all the time. My classics are packing too much weight on mt Kona Sutra Touring Bike back rack to the point of breaking back spokes! Or the time I assumed that I could pick up food along a remote rail trail in Ontario, The Hastings Heritage Rail Trail , has almost no food along the roue! Good thing!! I packed extra pepperettes and laughing cow cheese!
I ditched clipless for flats and hiking shoes. No numb feet, no cleats to come loose, easier for hike a bike and for overall comfort. Also no getting stuck in your pedals. Rear study rack blows away seat bag particularly if you are short. More capacity and it can eliminate a backpack. Free standing tent for easy set up. I went with an ultralight tarptent and hated it. Hard to set up, too small inside etc. Bought a REI freestanding 2 person with footprint. Heavier but sooo easy to set up and roomy plus easy to get into and out of. A good portion of your trip is spent in the tent so you might as well be comfortable! Brooks saddle, Jones bars, ergon grips and a thudbuster and a supple front fork are on my bike. You can have rigid front forks and drop bars!
I’m reluctant to switch to flats. I’ve been riding with clipless for over 30 years and they have become a part of me almost. I do get hot spots with my clipless shoes. I see what you are saying about hiking so I might have to get a set and bring tools and my clipless pedals and shoes in my next trip just in case and see how it goes.
Amen to all this. Clipless pedals is another system to break, another set of shoes for comfort walking. I upgraded to a bike rack vs a seat bag and holy moly was the bike more comfortable and agile
hey guys, in my trip to Santigo de compostela i was so heavy, with so many things, that my spokes start to broke and i started to donate all my stuff during my way. please always have in mind to carry the right stuff, for the right weight. Test it before !
This is more for cooler weather riding, but when it starts to rain, put the rain gear on. While I was soaked, as long as I was pedalling, I was fine. As soon as I stopped, I suddenly found myself not being able to get warm, even after putting on some layers. Had to scrap the whole trip and have someone pick me up.
Very good point! And this is a situation where a merino wool base layer is especially helpful because you can be wet AND warm, but best to get out the rain gear like you say, rather than saying "Oh, it will blow over. " ( Never does!)
I used paniers for a great touring trip, camping rough from Oslo to Hell and back a few years ago. They were perfect on the roads and wide forest trails but were heavy and ungainly on narrow and rough trails. Keeping everything in line has since been far more comfortable and MUCH faster. But the food carrying capacity is greatly diminished.
For me, I always bring more food than maybe needed because I have Celiac Disease so eating out can pose a significant challenge. Just can’t eat whatever is available at a food stop. Sucks…and creates way more anxiety.
a packed away collapsible daypack & bladder can give you extra H2o & food capacity when needed & leave your back unencumbered for the rest of the trip.
I just finished a loop around the Canyonlands region. Water: sources/springs that produced in the springtime, were dry in the fall, requiring me to carry twice the water to cover the same remote sections. So, the mistake being assuming water was available year around from known sources.
The only misteak I made, was forgetting my chain-rivet tool! I had my Deore rear deraillleur come apart on a Cowichan Lake (BC) trail. So I had to go fixie to get home. But I couldn't do that. Fortunately I was close to a road and could get a lift to a bike shop to buy the tool. Now I carry two, the little triangular Park one plus whatever else. I have never had a derailleur break before or since - since '71! For food, I keep it minimal but real. I learned this touring in France. I just hard-boil some eggs and put them in the boiling water for my morning coffee, to warm them up. I carry some reserve oatmeal packets as well. No refrigeration required. For lunch I ALWAYS had four things: an apple, a carrot a chunk of hard cheese and some 'saucisson sec' (dry sausage), and hopefully a baguette. Again no refrigeration but plenty of calories and electrolytes. And these are all hard enough to take some packing abuse. For dinner, anything, maybe even something freeze dried but with some local wine, cider or beer! I have started dehydrating fruit and veggies. Almost no weight, better and cheaper than packaged and it is dead easy. I will try jerky next. Good for snacks or augmenting meals, like powdered soup packets.
I relied on my phone and trail markings for navigation. The phone completely broke down in the middle of nowhere (battery decided to become a pillow) and the trail was not marked correctly. I was lucky to ran into a farmer one hour before darkness who could help my find my way back. Since that day I carry a physical map and a compass in remote areas as a backup. These things always work.
I didn't bed in my brakes properly before going on a route I'm comfortable with. Made it almost the whole way through the route (was 0.2 miles from home) when I 'missed' a turn, wrecked my bike, and fractured my pelvis. Lesson learned, the hard way!
Biggest mistake, not checking prevailing wind direction when planning my route. 7 out of 9 days on that trip featured headwinds, some as strong as 30 mph.
Always Stop and Eat and drink before making a big decision or figuring out route. Your mind is subpar when you are low and fuel & water and your heart is cranking.
Gear testing at home is so crucial. I've read so many reviews of people complaining about gear and how it ruined their trip and all I can think is you never tested this stuff in your own yard or a safe place? Test sleep systems most of all! This is where most people go wrong and end up having a bad time.
Here's an example of something I should have tested but didn't get around to it. I carried along my favourite Italian Moka pot anticipating a lovely expresso. Not realising beforehand that the diameter of the base of the pot was too narrow for the three fold-down supports in the top of my Trangia stove.
Here in Britain, the biggest mistake is not being adequately prepared for wet weather. Once you're cold and wet, this can range from unpleasant to ride-ending and/or downright dangerous. Realistically, if it is raining persistently you will not stay dry regardless of your fancy outer layers. But you have to carry some means of getting dry, such as a well-protected change of clothes. On a similar note, don't forget the sun screen in the warmer months.
Thanks so much for these videos, and for the wonderful awe-inspiring printed magazines. Love your work. I have learned so much from all of you. On a recent trip, my first week-long trip on my own since the beginning of COVID-19, I made a few mistakes. The first was packing way too much food. In hindsight, I am not sure why I did this. I think when I went out food shopping the night before my departure I just got carried away with what I found in my local supermarket, and for some reason, I just tossed it all into my handlebar bag. A week later, I returned home with about half of the food supplies I took with me. Yet, there were 3 places for re-supply along my route. So no need to carry all those kilograms of food. A second mistake was being overly cautious and taking way too many tools just in case I might need them. One example was carrying a low-pressure tyre pressure gauge for my fat tyres. When I could've merely relied on the inbuilt pressure gauge in my hand pump. We are all learning, and that is part of the joy of bikepacking.
After calculating how much water to take, I have a new policy of still carrying at least one extra empty 3-litre bladder. Empty, the bladder is almost weightless. But if your water consumption goes faster than you thought, you can often fill the bladder along the way to top off your supply.
My mistake, not changing the plan on time force me to do it when it got really bad. So once issues start to popup, consider changing the plan and do not automatically keep on going.
While it wasn't bikepacking, I did a solo bike tour a few years ago from Halifax to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (about 111 KM). I biked it in one day. In retrospect, I shouldn't have, especially for loading up my backpack. I wound up hurting my back in the process and had to get a drive home.
I've not made any of the mistakes you mention. Ive been bike touring and bikepacking 42 years, 8 months a year since i was 26 in 1982. All my gear including my panniers and other bags weigh less than 12 lbs. I bought my panniers in 1983.
My bike actually rides better when I’ve got 2 Nalgene bottles on the fork. It compensates for the weight difference between the carbon fork and a 120mm suspension fork.
Perfect timing for my trip this weekend. One thing front of mind to me is starting out too strong on a trek. By the end of one of my earlier trips I had achilles over-use pain. I hope my upcoming tour isn't "biting off more than I can chew!" lol 100% on the backpack. Periodically I carry a small hydration pack in training for Unbound or some such but if I can stop at stores or otherwise source water along the way, no way! I remember the days when I carried "little Weensie" in a pack and his ever increasing weight eventually started bruising my perineum. It was cute while it lasted but now he rides in a trailer!
On my first seven day bike packing trip I carried way too much gear thinking compared to hiking. I can take more weight, but I quickly found out that I was wrong and I shipped a lot of extra stuff home and should have sent even more. Also I personally won’t use panniers again just didn’t like how much weight was on my back tire.
On a bike packing trip, my buddy tore the valve stem. No prob. Pulled out the spare tube and it was a Schrader valve, not a presta valve. Wouldn’t fit through the rim hole. Check your repair kits before leaving.
Bike with someone who goes your pace, cool with going your pace, or you’re cool with going their pace. Nothing ruins what should be an enjoyable trip faster than riding with someone that you only really see on the horizon. That thinly veils how many more miles they could be putting down. Last few rides have been on my own. “Waste of trip” rides at my own pace. So much more enjoyable!
don't change your pedal/shoe set up for a long trip. ride what you're used to. i made this mistake once and it resulted in tendinitis forming in my knee due to a slight difference in my leg's alignment. it ruined my adventure... and i'll never do that again.
I’ve made so many of these! Not riding / testing bike after my last bikepack and finding on day 1 of new trip that my dropper seat cable needed to be replaced so seat was stuck up but not quite all the way up so hip flexors hated me. Not testing garmin before I left (I’d got a new phone since I last used it so I didn’t have the app on my phone anymore and couldn’t send custom messages) Not bringing rain pants and getting caught in an all day rain storm. Not testing new tent and having to set it up in a crazy wind / thunderstorm. 🫣 And of course a combo of under or overpacking 😅
Kind of presumptuous to assume we all made these 14 mistakes, though I have to admit I made a few of these on my first bike trip in Australia back in the early 1990s. A few years later in New Zealand I realized the sidewall on my front tire had cracked and my tube was sticking out like a hernia. I failed to check over my tires before starting a new trip. Had to stuff my book cover into my tire until I got to a town, which fortunately in New Zealand aren’t far apart.
My last tour was a disaster which is still holding me down to start again: I didn't pack enough food even though pretty aware that I'd be going through remote areas with no food stops and crazy elevation. Other thing was, I'd somehow overpacked which added to my woes. I bailed out on day two😢
I’m glad my yet-to- be-built gravel bike from a Trek hybrid has V brakes. I’ll never go disc. Too much maintainance and too finicky. V have awesome stopping power and no hassle
My biggest mistake was only installing helicopter tape where my frame bag straps attached. I now have permanent stripes on my rig where the sun didn’t fade the paint. Who knew helicopter tape was UV resistant 🤦🏻♂️
My worst mistake: Didn‘t fix a brakeing cable immediately when it broke. You guessed it, the second cable broke too, of course going down hill. Luckily I managed to get to a halt with just a few bruises.
Went to the supermarket a got everything for a delicious meal and coffee after log day on the bike realized I forgot to fill the fuel bottle of my multi/fuel stove😅 not warm food and worst of all no warm coffee next morning 😢, somehow I keep forgetting things.
Taking a waist pack that kept slipping down, and causing back pain, and I kept having to stop and tighten it. The other one was my saddle bag was too big and because I'm small, it would hit the rear wheel, particularly on gnarly tracks. Very annoying and eventually it made a hole in the bag which I kept havint to tape up.
I’m curious about all the comments about snacks and making them accessible. I rarely take snacks with me. I eat a good meal before I start out and stop for a light lunch and a good dinner. I have found that if I have snacks I overeat and go backwards on one of the things I am trying to do(keep my weight in check) I also eat all the snacks in one short peddling excursion.
Everybody's metabolism is different. If your body allows you to go all day on a good breakfast, and just a light lunch, then you are lucky compared to many of us. I've learned I need to top up the fuel my body burns nearly once per hour. Usually, something small, like half a Cliff Bar, will be enough to prevent me from bonking. But without it, I will get critically low on body sugars and/or electrolytes after about 2 hours of riding. Later in the day, usually by mid-afternoon, I find if I haven't been replacing electrolytes I start getting highly anxious. My high anxiety affects my decision-making. So, after lunch, my habit is to have about half an SIS gel once an hour. It has taken me years of experimenting with this snack routine to get it just right to enable me to ride for 6-to-8 hours per day. I first noticed this phenomenon in 1988 when I was riding the Australian Bi-Centennial Big Ride together with my father-in-law. Both he and I performed much better after we adopted the habit of hourly snacks.
Guilty of all and more. But things that stand out are taking too much stuff, poor packing and organizing. I'm old and get cranky when my sugar is low so having to get at inaccessible (because of poor packing) items such as rain gear, tools, tent and sleeping gear, etc just does not make me happy. After many years I'm starting to learn though.
Comfort is more important than speed. Carry a length of parachute cord, to replace ball bearings if your cassette's bearings wear and maybe fall out. Tour with at least one other person so you have somebody to bitch to about the headwinds or other weather problems (Tom Cuthbertson's 1972 book, Bike Tripping, mentioned this about the same time I found it out the hard way.) When you get to camp, set up your tent/sleeping area first, or at least well before dark. Carry food you don't have to cook in case your stove fails and you can't use a fire. Long sleeves in sunny weather to avoid cancer when you get old. Don't try to ride after dark unless it's on pavement or a good gravel road and there's zero car traffic.
I end up with a hefty backpack most of the time, but that's mostly due to camera gear. However one thing that I still struggle with after a lot of years and trips: too much food. Sounds wrong but the problem is a bit more complex. I tend to bring emergency rations for about one day. If everything goes to plan than I would just ditch one resupply option towards the end of the trip and use the spare rations instead. Or if I realize that the overall resupply situation is pretty good. However it has often happened that my riding buddies carried less food and relied more on resupplies so we ended up going to some supermarket whenever we could. Since that's the easier and more comfortable option most of the time I tend to go with it and usually end up bringing my spare rations back home. Could be worse, I know, but anyone who has ridden with a backpack at the limit of one's back can take knows how every pound counts even more than with a light pack.
You should try intermittent fasting to get over your dependence on food , if you have a healthy weight or carrying a bit too much a week without food is no big deal.
Get all the preassure on the but with grabbing an Omniumcargo. Please just do it. One can have some stem bags, saddle bag etc anyway but .. I save loads of weight just not having to rida around with 15 bags.
I feel your pain! Had three flats within 20 miles when starting a 30 day trip. After the third I minutely checked the tyre inside and out and found this tiniest sliver of glass which had caused the problem. Now I carry 4 spare tubes just in case for peace of mind. 😂
Protip YOUR TENT NEEDS TO BE ON TOP if you have to pull stuff out before your tent and its raining and you're somewhere cold you're DONE
Just to piggy back on this; Store your wet tent away from your sleeping bag/sleeping pad. Nothing worse than pulling out your already soggy sleeping bag when setting up camp.
I store all my sleep kit in one separate bag. Set up tent, throw in bag, climb in. In inclement weather it has saved my bacon.
As a backpacker I would think a tarp would be the solution right? Quick set up and you can cover both you and your bike while setting up a dry tent right?
I'm done? 😯
@@ljdunsmore1yeah this sounds fabulous. I've never done a bike trip yet but I think they're mindset is something along the lines of" a tarp is just another item to take on a already quite big list of items one has to carry on a bike"
I went hiking, I know not biking, and had a 45L backpack, which I filled. I did finish the hike, 45 miles, but learned very quickly not to pack just because you have the space. Plan what you will take with you and buy the size bags you need, not what you think you will need. The problem with big bags is that people tend to fill them up with “unnecessary” stuff with the thinking “ I may need that”.
FWIW - There is n old rule in the boating world, put a piece of tape on something you think that you really don’t need, remove the tape when you use it, after 6 months if the tape hasn’t been removed, get rid of it you don’t need it. Carrying it for six months on bike packing trips is ridiculous, but have a system for getting rid of stuff you really don’t need.
Your boating world tip is really good. When i was starting out backpacking, I did something similar except intentionally overpacked on a few shorter trips, and kept a log of everything I used. Did that a few times and whatever wasn't in the log, was cut out entirely - except for things like first aid kits and the like, which are hopefully never used lol.
I did the reverse mistake on a bike packing tour. It was 500km, so I thought one pair of bib shorts should be enough. On the second day I ripped these shorts during a brake. They tor at a place that didn't leave much to imagination. As a result, I rode the last 230km in my summer pajama pants. That why I now always carry a second pair of bibs, even if it's only for 2 days.
Something I learned from Neil in a previous UA-cam video... As a good way to avoid saddle sores. Always take two different pairs of bike nicks (bib shorts) because they each have differing pressure spots on your groin. Alternate the bib shorts every other day. This also allows the chamois to dry out fully so it has less bacteria. Every night and every morning and after every toileting, clean your bum with baby wipes. Prevent saddle sores before they happen.
My mistake on my first trip I planned by myself was that I didn't take into consideration the different levels of fitness of my riding partner. If you're going on a trip or even just a normal ride always take the weakest link of the group into consideration.
Its pretty rare to find people that ride at the same pace. I am the weakest link whenever my son and I ride. I had to learn that I don't need to try and keep up. It takes away from the ride. He had to learn that it's ok to just ride ahead. I'll catch up eventually. That being said, sharing your location on Google Maps can be helpful keeping track of each other.
Excellent point. Although it is nice to be "inclusive", it is also nice to arrive where you want in the daylight hours. Choose your riding partner carefully.
@@teddgram my son and I experience the same issues. He is a very fit 45. I am 72. I'm slower, always, but I have more stamina.
My biggest mistake bikepacking was not investigating why I felt so awful when exerting myself. I realized later I was bonking, but figured it was due to a lack of fitness rather than a nutritional issue. My body demands large amounts of electrolytes and knowing that has fixed the problem.
Or any riding long distances. Electrolytes are absolutely required for me, and I think most people could benefit from them if they ever sweat at all. Real food is great, but it isn't always easy to digest or even carry. Also, as someone said down below, rough surfaces take more out of you than the road, I have adjusted my distance expectations accordingly.
I learned the same thing on my first trip. Day 3 was the worst. Next year I did the same route but brought electrolytes. Night and day difference. I gave some to my son to try after I noticed him struggling and he immediately perked up. Now we just keep a supply in the cupboard for spur of the moment long rides or when the weather gets hot.
On the flip side of weather, when it gets cold, you need even more energy because some of your calories are being spent keeping you warm. Riding in cold weather to me makes everything tougher.
Puncture resistant tires don't just help with road hazards (nails, debris, etc). They also help where the rocks are sharp.
Also, even if riding tubeless, I would still recommend bringing 2 spare tubes and plugs.
Both of these things were figured out on the same trip.
On longer Tours staying in town too much is a mistake. I found myself in crappy motels when I would have been much happier in my tent on a mountain pass...then when I leave town I can't take advantage of the resupply points because I'm up too early and I don't want to wait for shops to open.
that's subjective.
Check your chain, All. This past weekend I was doing a quick overnight’r with a friend. Texts were exchanged, meeting point and time established. I throw a leg over the bike and snap. Upon further inspection the chain was cracked more than 20 times. More plates were broken than a carnival shooting game. I’m very lucky that I made it back from my last 4 day trip without any issues. Great tips, Neil. Thanks for continuing to share your knowledge.
Not bringing enough! Well to be clear, it wasn't my mistake. A friend decided to go ultra, ultra light on our first trip together. He would have ended up with cold freeze dried food that tasted like iodine, if he hadn't used my filter to get fresh water and my stove to boil it. Since I only had a one man tent, he did end up sleeping face down in dirt in a bivy sack (that he left the pole for at home) and no pad. He still claims to this day that he was fine, but I saw his face in the morning 🤣
I just bought me a gravel bike and plan to really get into bikepacking. These videos have been really helpful for a newbie like me.
My biggest mistake was no rain jacket because it was "only three days and no rain in the forecast". Fortunate to find a nice running jacket at a second hand store, but I was pretty cold by then. Biggest adjustment was to use Schwalbe Marathon plus tires as I would rather deal with a little more rolling resistance and weight than deal with flat tires.
That's a great sum up, I've definitely made some of these mistakes in the past! Especially the backpack. Cycling 5000km with one is still felt 10 years later.... For the 'biting off too much' mistake I'd say terrain is also a huge factor. The Baja Divide might be fair in climbs, but the terrain will knock you down way faster than on other routes, such as the Wolf's Lair.
All good points!
Also, during summer months - bring sandles! Weighs next to nothing, easy to strap on whatever bag you’re using. Happy feet are not aching feet is happy you.
Nice list that I appreciate as a newbie. On my last local Sub 24 hr trip I made so many mistakes that lead to pulling the plug: Had to change plans due to a trail closure, but didn't actually map the new route which was much tougher going than I planned. I stayed at work too long which meant I ran out of daylight without proper lights. Turned around and headed home after getting sketched out riding on a windy road w/ no shoulder at dusk So...bring lights (even if you don't think you need them), actually study your route beforehand, and for god's sake clear your work calendar so you can get on the trail!
Always ride check your bike fitment prior to a long endurance event. Minor tweaks to your saddle, handle bars, pedals prior to your ride could have you uncomfortable or hurt during your ride. Dial it in the week before your ride and mark your settings with a paint marker if you have to ship and assemble your bike.
Not renewing a tube patch kit. Quite inexpensive considering the alternative. I went to patch a tube the other day (on my porch... Thank God!), because it was going to be a bit before I was able to go to my LBS. The vulcanizing fluid tube was completely dried up! And yes... I'm actually talking tubes here. As a shop mechanic, I tend to save the tubeless mess for my mountain bike, and simply make an effort to avoid pinch flat situations on my other bikes. 🙂
My last big trip I sent my stove and all my cooking gear home. Never really missed it and got pretty good at eating raw real food and packing leftovers from my town stops. I now pack to make my riding more fun and accept that the camp experience may be a little on the spartan side. I'm out there to ride!
Any hot tips for cold food that isnt wrapped in bread? I don't think ditching the stove is possible for me, being allergic to wheat, but I'd really love to figure out a way.
@@justinbogart278 Maybe you could take along a few ziplock baggies filled with pre-boiled rice? I always take a couple of bananas, a couple of apples, some packets of dried cranberries, and a small jar of peanut butter.
Three of us riding for several days in Scotland.
Tubeless tyres.
Pinch flat that nicked the side wall.
1 pump left at home
2nd pump left... In the car (a ferry ride away).
2x.CO2 cylinders used... tyre flatted again.
3rd pump... broke.
🤬.
Tyre wouldn't re-seat (even with tube) onto rim properly.
And we were all on different wheel sizes (1x 650B, 1x 26", 1x 700c).
Managed eventually to get about 35psi in it, get back very carefully to road. Had to take a tarmac road rather than off road for the last day back to the ferry.
Just about got away with it, but lessons learned.
(We'll be serious over-packing on tools, spare tyres, tubes, pumps etc etc next time !!!
A nice rear rack with a trunk bag or small to medium size duffle bag does work very nicely and a lot more secured than riding with those big saddle bags that sways all over the place.
Is it good to carry the luggage in rear using a carrier
Actually i want to carry tent and sleeping bags.. its my first 2000km trip thats why i am confused
I live in a very remote part of Canada and route planning is difficult. I plan my route with Google maps or Gaia GPS and the road isn't there and I am left backtracking many miles trying to figure out alternative route. I bikepack alone so it sucks getting lost. I had to cut through a field and walk my bike and my Garmin edge fell to the ground, when I realized it was gone I had to walk back and look for it in the tall grass.
Still very new and every adventure I do learn from mistakes.
my biggest mistake is to not take a day off on longer trips. Once I start wearing down, there is no way to bounce back other than to take a day's rest.
Great video Neil. One tip I would add is different coloured tabs either on bags or panniers. This helps you remember where you keep certain things. If everything has a place it's much easier to find it or notice it's missing ie a headtorch that's fallen i. Long grass and so on
These tips work! One thing that bugs me when people talk about touring and bikepacking is not clarifying the difference between available packing space and the space needed for the stuff you'd normally carry on a trip. I might be old school but the way I see it there should always be extra space for luxury items like food and toilet paper. The good thing about panniers is that after you've thrown in your ultralight gear there's still room for a big loaf bread, some cheese, vegetables, fruits, good coffee and real food you can cook. Not just energybars and those restaurant priced "just ad water" meals from trekking stores.
Yeah, I’m a fan of the panniers, also.
Sometimes a trailer, if I’m carrying a load for less abled rider.
I can not bike pack. I tour.
I think that's one of the differences between bikepacking and touring: Last year I went with a set of panniers and a rear rack and for exactly that reasons - there's so much space after you pack the UL gear - I always brought so many more luxury items then I needed that I really learned to hate these big panniers. The upcoming seasons I'll be going with barely anything on top of the essentials 😌👌
@@ignatiustremor I know people do that and it works just fine. The only limiting factor is that if I don't have extra space for food, I'll have to plan the next leg more carefully to be able to resupply. In other words spending hours at an interesting location that you suddenly come across gets harder. Allthough people tend to refer such incidents (cycling hours on end being hungry) as heroic strugles, most would see them as beginner mistakes. But again it's not rocket science. There's no single correct way to do it. I just carry the essentials but don't want to count grams when it comes to food.
@veijopitkanen8385 I guess your right mate! Saving too much on food might be constraining. I guess what too much is and what to little really depends on the possibilities to restock during the trip.
Have mailed home heavier u locks . Now always use a gram scale to keep weights low. Took pictures of stuff that worked for me so now have a reference for next tour.
Gotta give a shout out to couscous, expands a lot with cooking, only requires a boiling water, and you can get flavored packets from your local supermarket quite cheaply. It's quite filling and goes great with pretty much anything, it became my go to last year
little known secret - you can make cous cous with cold water. just let it soak for about 10 minutes
Similarly, I took some potatoe gnocchi on my recent trip. Very filling. Packs down easily, and easy to prepare. On one night I paired this with tomatoe soup and some finely chopped shallot.
Gross
Man,I'm the poster boy for what can go wrong! So everybody listen to Neil,he speaks the truth!!😉👍
Would really love a "How to pack your bike packing bags" video!
Pack the heaviest items as low as possible. That means lightest stuff in your back pack, heaviest stuff in the lowest part of your frame bag.
NO, search for "getting an Omniumcargo video....."
@@lutube9710 great response. I'll also add that you need to keep shelter, raincoat, etc. and things accessible first in the pack so that you're not digging through crap to get to your rain coat or first aid kid... especially the first aid kit!
All aboard!
The video and the comment section are gold for newbie like me, thank you!
😂 True. When in doubt, hit the comments. Where the good-bad-ugly live. Usually great tips. 🚲
Make mistakes, learn from them! It's the only way to do it. Great vid Neil.
…or learn from others. Safer 😊
Dangling strap! I had a webbing cam strap holding down a bag on my back rack. I left the tail long, not wanting to cut it down and make the strap less useful for bigger loads or something. Well, the tail got loose, wrapped around the hub and tightened like a boa constrictor. It crushed my titanium pot, and crunched the heavy-duty Salsa rack to within millimeters of my tire. This happened in the middle of an amazing downhill on the Western Wildlands Route. It felt like I had just laid on the emergency brake hard, but fortunately the travel involved in crushing the pot and rack provided some "give" and I didn't crash. I banged out the pot and the rack was (barely) usable for the rest of the ride, but I'll never leave a strap that long again.
I find that when my snack food is not easily and readily available I will forgo eating and keep riding because I don't want to stop to find and access the food, so now I try to have snacks easily accessible in pockets on my jersey, hip bag or front bag.
Agreed. This is the reason I have bonked sometimes.
Great video Neil! I made most of these mistakes on my first big ride. On my cross country trip from California to Maine I overpacked by a long-shot, my bike weighed over 100lbs when I started, and I was carrying a 35liter backpack on top of that! 😂
With me was all sorts of cooking equipment, I had a 1.2liter campers pressure cooker that sherpas use in the Himalayas, dry goods like rice, lentils, and a spice kit, even a microplane to mince ginger. While I’ll be the first to admit that being overloaded can wear you out, I still really like bringing to pressure cooker though, it’s my luxury item, but it feels like such a treat to make a nice dal/curry in the middle of nowhere. In hindsight, the thing that I would pack less of would be clothing. Even on multi day trips, you really don’t need more than 3 of anything. That trip taught me just how little I actually needed to have a good time.
Yes. One to wear one for inspection and one in the wash.
If you are riding with any suspension, make sure your shake out rides include getting all the way through your travel. I used to take mellow shake out rides then realize once I was actually moving through my travel I was wearing into my bags
Great information ℹ️
Its almost been two years since i last rode with a backpack, sooooo happy. Going to flats (1 less pair of shoes)and a few less clothes & ✅👍.
Being able to set up tent without unpacking bike fist was a massive breakthrough.
Cheers again mate🦘☮️
When it comes to camping backyard or, otherwise, very very local car camping seems underrated for testing gear these days. Especially if you can do it when the weather is at its worst (or thereabouts) at your home.
We just made a 25km bike packing trip to a campside nearby to test our newly setup bikes and gear and it was a blast. Can recommend.
Last year I did the Finger Lakes Overnighter. My bike wasn't shifting right before I left, and found my thru axle was loose. That wasn't the problem. I had a broken hub. I finally got home, took off the rear wheel and the cassette and that part of the driver and hub fell away from the bike. Very glad I didn't take it off during the trip.
Your climbing scale needs to add 0: Florida. I rode from Amelia Island to Key West last year; 688 miles and 1,300' of TOTAL climbing, all of it bridges. 😂
Such a super helpful video Neil! I love that you are all willing to share the awkward, learned from experience moments! These things happen to the me all the time. My classics are packing too much weight on mt Kona Sutra Touring Bike back rack to the point of breaking back spokes! Or the time I assumed that I could pick up food along a remote rail trail in Ontario, The Hastings Heritage Rail Trail , has almost no food along the roue! Good thing!! I packed extra pepperettes and laughing cow cheese!
I ditched clipless for flats and hiking shoes. No numb feet, no cleats to come loose, easier for hike a bike and for overall comfort. Also no getting stuck in your pedals.
Rear study rack blows away seat bag particularly if you are short. More capacity and it can eliminate a backpack.
Free standing tent for easy set up. I went with an ultralight tarptent and hated it. Hard to set up, too small inside etc. Bought a REI freestanding 2 person with footprint. Heavier but sooo easy to set up and roomy plus easy to get into and out of. A good portion of your trip is spent in the tent so you might as well be comfortable!
Brooks saddle, Jones bars, ergon grips and a thudbuster and a supple front fork are on my bike. You can have rigid front forks and drop bars!
I’m reluctant to switch to flats. I’ve been riding with clipless for over 30 years and they have become a part of me almost. I do get hot spots with my clipless shoes. I see what you are saying about hiking so I might have to get a set and bring tools and my clipless pedals and shoes in my next trip just in case and see how it goes.
Amen to all this. Clipless pedals is another system to break, another set of shoes for comfort walking.
I upgraded to a bike rack vs a seat bag and holy moly was the bike more comfortable and agile
Flats: better remember ...and not try to bunny hop large pot hole, true story.
@@ryanman7 I’m with you on the rack thing. My Karate Monkey drop bar bike is going to have front and rear racks. Keep the load low and over the axels.
@@bironbrunelle5186
Technique. BMXs and trials riders use flat pedals. It's all down to technique.
hey guys, in my trip to Santigo de compostela i was so heavy, with so many things, that my spokes start to broke and i started to donate all my stuff during my way. please always have in mind to carry the right stuff, for the right weight. Test it before !
This is more for cooler weather riding, but when it starts to rain, put the rain gear on. While I was soaked, as long as I was pedalling, I was fine. As soon as I stopped, I suddenly found myself not being able to get warm, even after putting on some layers. Had to scrap the whole trip and have someone pick me up.
Very good point! And this is a situation where a merino wool base layer is especially helpful because you can be wet AND warm, but best to get out the rain gear like you say, rather than saying "Oh, it will blow over. " ( Never does!)
I used paniers for a great touring trip, camping rough from Oslo to Hell and back a few years ago. They were perfect on the roads and wide forest trails but were heavy and ungainly on narrow and rough trails. Keeping everything in line has since been far more comfortable and MUCH faster. But the food carrying capacity is greatly diminished.
Never really understood the thing about panniers sticking out, because my legs, feet and bars all stick out further than my panniers do 🤷🏻♂️
For me, I always bring more food than maybe needed because I have Celiac Disease so eating out can pose a significant challenge. Just can’t eat whatever is available at a food stop. Sucks…and creates way more anxiety.
a packed away collapsible daypack & bladder can give you extra H2o & food capacity when needed & leave your back unencumbered for the rest of the trip.
Good tip. I might try this instead of my camelback.
I just finished a loop around the Canyonlands region. Water: sources/springs that produced in the springtime, were dry in the fall, requiring me to carry twice the water to cover the same remote sections. So, the mistake being assuming water was available year around from known sources.
The only misteak I made, was forgetting my chain-rivet tool! I had my Deore rear deraillleur come apart on a Cowichan Lake (BC) trail. So I had to go fixie to get home. But I couldn't do that. Fortunately I was close to a road and could get a lift to a bike shop to buy the tool. Now I carry two, the little triangular Park one plus whatever else. I have never had a derailleur break before or since - since '71!
For food, I keep it minimal but real. I learned this touring in France. I just hard-boil some eggs and put them in the boiling water for my morning coffee, to warm them up. I carry some reserve oatmeal packets as well. No refrigeration required. For lunch I ALWAYS had four things: an apple, a carrot a chunk of hard cheese and some 'saucisson sec' (dry sausage), and hopefully a baguette. Again no refrigeration but plenty of calories and electrolytes. And these are all hard enough to take some packing abuse. For dinner, anything, maybe even something freeze dried but with some local wine, cider or beer! I have started dehydrating fruit and veggies. Almost no weight, better and cheaper than packaged and it is dead easy. I will try jerky next. Good for snacks or augmenting meals, like powdered soup packets.
I relied on my phone and trail markings for navigation. The phone completely broke down in the middle of nowhere (battery decided to become a pillow) and the trail was not marked correctly. I was lucky to ran into a farmer one hour before darkness who could help my find my way back. Since that day I carry a physical map and a compass in remote areas as a backup. These things always work.
I didn't bed in my brakes properly before going on a route I'm comfortable with. Made it almost the whole way through the route (was 0.2 miles from home) when I 'missed' a turn, wrecked my bike, and fractured my pelvis. Lesson learned, the hard way!
Biggest mistake, not checking prevailing wind direction when planning my route. 7 out of 9 days on that trip featured headwinds, some as strong as 30 mph.
Always Stop and Eat and drink before making a big decision or figuring out route. Your mind is subpar when you are low and fuel & water and your heart is cranking.
Gear testing at home is so crucial. I've read so many reviews of people complaining about gear and how it ruined their trip and all I can think is you never tested this stuff in your own yard or a safe place? Test sleep systems most of all! This is where most people go wrong and end up having a bad time.
Here's an example of something I should have tested but didn't get around to it. I carried along my favourite Italian Moka pot anticipating a lovely expresso. Not realising beforehand that the diameter of the base of the pot was too narrow for the three fold-down supports in the top of my Trangia stove.
Here in Britain, the biggest mistake is not being adequately prepared for wet weather. Once you're cold and wet, this can range from unpleasant to ride-ending and/or downright dangerous. Realistically, if it is raining persistently you will not stay dry regardless of your fancy outer layers. But you have to carry some means of getting dry, such as a well-protected change of clothes. On a similar note, don't forget the sun screen in the warmer months.
Thanks so much for these videos, and for the wonderful awe-inspiring printed magazines. Love your work. I have learned so much from all of you.
On a recent trip, my first week-long trip on my own since the beginning of COVID-19, I made a few mistakes. The first was packing way too much food. In hindsight, I am not sure why I did this. I think when I went out food shopping the night before my departure I just got carried away with what I found in my local supermarket, and for some reason, I just tossed it all into my handlebar bag. A week later, I returned home with about half of the food supplies I took with me. Yet, there were 3 places for re-supply along my route. So no need to carry all those kilograms of food. A second mistake was being overly cautious and taking way too many tools just in case I might need them. One example was carrying a low-pressure tyre pressure gauge for my fat tyres. When I could've merely relied on the inbuilt pressure gauge in my hand pump.
We are all learning, and that is part of the joy of bikepacking.
The heaviest thing you’ll carry is water, so really think that through. Where is it carried, how often you can filter.
After calculating how much water to take, I have a new policy of still carrying at least one extra empty 3-litre bladder. Empty, the bladder is almost weightless. But if your water consumption goes faster than you thought, you can often fill the bladder along the way to top off your supply.
My mistake, not changing the plan on time force me to do it when it got really bad. So once issues start to popup, consider changing the plan and do not automatically keep on going.
Sun hoody FTW. Keeps the sunscreen to a minimum.
Just back from a trip in Spain. I didn’t take my shock pump to save weight which I regretted after the third day of off road 😃
While it wasn't bikepacking, I did a solo bike tour a few years ago from Halifax to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (about 111 KM). I biked it in one day. In retrospect, I shouldn't have, especially for loading up my backpack. I wound up hurting my back in the process and had to get a drive home.
I prefer solo but any more than one other person is a crowd. Problems become exponential with each additional person.
I've not made any of the mistakes you mention. Ive been bike touring and bikepacking 42 years, 8 months a year since i was 26 in 1982. All my gear including my panniers and other bags weigh less than 12 lbs. I bought my panniers in 1983.
pro!
Worst mistake i made was not to carry bacon strips for tubeless repairs. Ended up patching the tire from inside with regular patches.
Canadian? Thick cut?
Keep light stuff in handlebar bag + seat bag, heavy stuff in triangle near bottom bracket, rides so much better.
My bike actually rides better when I’ve got 2 Nalgene bottles on the fork. It compensates for the weight difference between the carbon fork and a 120mm suspension fork.
Perfect timing for my trip this weekend.
One thing front of mind to me is starting out too strong on a trek. By the end of one of my earlier trips I had achilles over-use pain. I hope my upcoming tour isn't "biting off more than I can chew!" lol
100% on the backpack. Periodically I carry a small hydration pack in training for Unbound or some such but if I can stop at stores or otherwise source water along the way, no way! I remember the days when I carried "little Weensie" in a pack and his ever increasing weight eventually started bruising my perineum. It was cute while it lasted but now he rides in a trailer!
Heading out on a trip this weekend too. Ride safe!
Overestimating fitness for very hilly route!! Need to scale down daily milage significantly vs flatter route.
On my first seven day bike packing trip I carried way too much gear thinking compared to hiking. I can take more weight, but I quickly found out that I was wrong and I shipped a lot of extra stuff home and should have sent even more. Also I personally won’t use panniers again just didn’t like how much weight was on my back tire.
On a bike packing trip, my buddy tore the valve stem. No prob. Pulled out the spare tube and it was a Schrader valve, not a presta valve. Wouldn’t fit through the rim hole. Check your repair kits before leaving.
Great video as always. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work
Bike with someone who goes your pace, cool with going your pace, or you’re cool with going their pace. Nothing ruins what should be an enjoyable trip faster than riding with someone that you only really see on the horizon. That thinly veils how many more miles they could be putting down.
Last few rides have been on my own. “Waste of trip” rides at my own pace. So much more enjoyable!
don't change your pedal/shoe set up for a long trip. ride what you're used to. i made this mistake once and it resulted in tendinitis forming in my knee due to a slight difference in my leg's alignment. it ruined my adventure... and i'll never do that again.
I’ve made so many of these! Not riding / testing bike after my last bikepack and finding on day 1 of new trip that my dropper seat cable needed to be replaced so seat was stuck up but not quite all the way up so hip flexors hated me. Not testing garmin before I left (I’d got a new phone since I last used it so I didn’t have the app on my phone anymore and couldn’t send custom messages) Not bringing rain pants and getting caught in an all day rain storm. Not testing new tent and having to set it up in a crazy wind / thunderstorm. 🫣 And of course a combo of under or overpacking 😅
Kind of presumptuous to assume we all made these 14 mistakes, though I have to admit I made a few of these on my first bike trip in Australia back in the early 1990s. A few years later in New Zealand I realized the sidewall on my front tire had cracked and my tube was sticking out like a hernia. I failed to check over my tires before starting a new trip. Had to stuff my book cover into my tire until I got to a town, which fortunately in New Zealand aren’t far apart.
My last tour was a disaster which is still holding me down to start again: I didn't pack enough food even though pretty aware that I'd be going through remote areas with no food stops and crazy elevation. Other thing was, I'd somehow overpacked which added to my woes. I bailed out on day two😢
When stopping, be sure to consider what your feet will standing upon.
Or even if there is something firm and available to stand upon.
Packing too much food, in an area I could buy it, was my mistake.
I’m glad my yet-to- be-built gravel bike from a Trek hybrid has V brakes. I’ll never go disc. Too much maintainance and too finicky. V have awesome stopping power and no hassle
Thanks for an entertaining and informative video.
I prefer to overbike for bikepacking and leave underbiking for rides that are closer to home
Forgetting warm clothes. It was really difficult to sleep at 8C. And now I want to buy a light puffy jacket
My biggest mistake was only installing helicopter tape where my frame bag straps attached. I now have permanent stripes on my rig where the sun didn’t fade the paint. Who knew helicopter tape was UV resistant 🤦🏻♂️
Interesting!
These are very similar tips for backpacking. 😄
Wrong weight distribution on my fully packed mtb without front paniers. Difficult to keep my front wheel on the ground when going up a steep road. 😅
Forgotten derailer hangers..
My worst mistake: Didn‘t fix a brakeing cable immediately when it broke. You guessed it, the second cable broke too, of course going down hill. Luckily I managed to get to a halt with just a few bruises.
my mistake was carrying a fullframe DSLR with f2.8 lenses.. that stays home next time
Nothing but f1.2’s next time, right?
Went to the supermarket a got everything for a delicious meal and coffee after log day on the bike realized I forgot to fill the fuel bottle of my multi/fuel stove😅 not warm food and worst of all no warm coffee next morning 😢, somehow I keep forgetting things.
Taking a waist pack that kept slipping down, and causing back pain, and I kept having to stop and tighten it.
The other one was my saddle bag was too big and because I'm small, it would hit the rear wheel, particularly on gnarly tracks. Very annoying and eventually it made a hole in the bag which I kept havint to tape up.
I’m curious about all the comments about snacks and making them accessible. I rarely take snacks with me. I eat a good meal before I start out and stop for a light lunch and a good dinner. I have found that if I have snacks I overeat and go backwards on one of the things I am trying to do(keep my weight in check) I also eat all the snacks in one short peddling excursion.
Everybody's metabolism is different. If your body allows you to go all day on a good breakfast, and just a light lunch, then you are lucky compared to many of us. I've learned I need to top up the fuel my body burns nearly once per hour. Usually, something small, like half a Cliff Bar, will be enough to prevent me from bonking. But without it, I will get critically low on body sugars and/or electrolytes after about 2 hours of riding. Later in the day, usually by mid-afternoon, I find if I haven't been replacing electrolytes I start getting highly anxious. My high anxiety affects my decision-making. So, after lunch, my habit is to have about half an SIS gel once an hour. It has taken me years of experimenting with this snack routine to get it just right to enable me to ride for 6-to-8 hours per day.
I first noticed this phenomenon in 1988 when I was riding the Australian Bi-Centennial Big Ride together with my father-in-law. Both he and I performed much better after we adopted the habit of hourly snacks.
Guilty of all and more. But things that stand out are taking too much stuff, poor packing and organizing. I'm old and get cranky when my sugar is low so having to get at inaccessible (because of poor packing) items such as rain gear, tools, tent and sleeping gear, etc just does not make me happy. After many years I'm starting to learn though.
I guess something could be said for the Schwalbe Marathon tires and the various puncture protected tires from Continental.
A food supply of 2000 kcal it's a must stock in case of emergency...
Comfort is more important than speed. Carry a length of parachute cord, to replace ball bearings if your cassette's bearings wear and maybe fall out. Tour with at least one other person so you have somebody to bitch to about the headwinds or other weather problems (Tom Cuthbertson's 1972 book, Bike Tripping, mentioned this about the same time I found it out the hard way.) When you get to camp, set up your tent/sleeping area first, or at least well before dark. Carry food you don't have to cook in case your stove fails and you can't use a fire. Long sleeves in sunny weather to avoid cancer when you get old. Don't try to ride after dark unless it's on pavement or a good gravel road and there's zero car traffic.
Thanks Neil
I end up with a hefty backpack most of the time, but that's mostly due to camera gear. However one thing that I still struggle with after a lot of years and trips: too much food. Sounds wrong but the problem is a bit more complex. I tend to bring emergency rations for about one day. If everything goes to plan than I would just ditch one resupply option towards the end of the trip and use the spare rations instead. Or if I realize that the overall resupply situation is pretty good. However it has often happened that my riding buddies carried less food and relied more on resupplies so we ended up going to some supermarket whenever we could. Since that's the easier and more comfortable option most of the time I tend to go with it and usually end up bringing my spare rations back home. Could be worse, I know, but anyone who has ridden with a backpack at the limit of one's back can take knows how every pound counts even more than with a light pack.
You should try intermittent fasting to get over your dependence on food , if you have a healthy weight or carrying a bit too much a week without food is no big deal.
Thanks
Get all the preassure on the but with grabbing an Omniumcargo. Please just do it. One can have some stem bags, saddle bag etc anyway but .. I save loads of weight just not having to rida around with 15 bags.
Not sure how well that would work on singletrack, but I can see a nice fit on well maintained gravel roads.
I have rack for saddle bags on all my bikes xc, mtb and gravel
Казинаки! What a great idea!
Your issues are quite universal.
Bear spray if you live in the U.K.
How about six flats in one day?
Used a punctured tube as a Mr. Tuffy.
I feel your pain! Had three flats within 20 miles when starting a 30 day trip. After the third I minutely checked the tyre inside and out and found this tiniest sliver of glass which had caused the problem. Now I carry 4 spare tubes just in case for peace of mind. 😂