Go for a gravel or endurance bike, not a full-on race bike, as these will be more comfortable on longer rides. Gravel bikes will usually allow you to fit wider tires, and will also have more attachment points. As for bikes, I love my Giant Defy, it's a great all-rounder and really comfy. You can also look at the Revolt, which is Giant's gravel bike. And they also have a women-specific brand, called Liv, which might be an option as well. And, almost more important than a new bike, get a proper, full bike-fit before and after getting the bike. Before to make sure you get the right size, and after to adjust it to fit you perfectly (saddle height and setback, stem length, handlebar height, etc).
@@kaitlynbuquoi7132 I'm excited for her to find Francis Cade (Cade Media), He is currently doing a 1000 mile bikepacking trip through south western india. great content
Hi, I am a cycling coach from NZ and I been getting into bike packing myself recently. One thing I have noticed is that you stay on your seat when you stop, try pulling forward when you stop so you can have 2 feet flat on the ground and spend some time riding of your seat its a super helpful skill. I also learnt the hard way bike packing is a slog, try balance the weight of the gear across your bike, it feels so much better to ride :) Thanks for making cool content
Adding to this: not moving, put one leg at the lowest point (think 6 o'clock), scoot your butt forward so you're over your top tube and not on your saddle, other foot goes on the ground. Try it holding onto something first/have a friend hold your front wheel and handlebars really stable while you try this. And in flat pedals/tennis shoes is easier. Try this on both sides. Not moving. And then try starting and stopping, very slowly. Again on both sides. This boosted the confidence of the 4-6 year olds I coached last summer because then they knew they could stop easily and with less risk of falling. Remember, baby steps!
Right, don't start and stop "on the seat." Swing your leg over the saddle and straddle the top tube. Clip in with one foot and then set it to the 3 o'clock. Push forward on the pedal and stand, bringing your butt onto the seat. Then clip in with your other foot. To stop, do this is reverse. Unclip one foot, usually your dominant foot. Apply the brakes and stand on the pedal while preparing to place your unclipped foot on the ground. As you control your brakes to a stop, lower your body again over the top tube and prepare to place your foot on the ground, leaning slightly to the unclipped side. Keep your other foot clipped in if you are going to start again.
Dear Makari, This is your subscriber from Belarus writing to you. I rarely leave comments under videos, but in this case, I couldn't pass by. Thank you so much for continuing to open up the world of travel and bicycles for people like me. I am constantly in awe of Canada's nature and your beauty. Excellent video! After watching it, I have a strong desire to try something similar, though I first need to get my own bike. Thank you for your videos, and keep up the great work.
here's what I've learned after 5 trips. get a foldable chair! being able to just 'sit' right after making it to the camp site and while doing every other things during my stays changes soooo much of the experience.
It's so refreshing to see a video where someone admits to be really scared and anxious to try something - but going and doing it anyway. So many videos people are just always hyped and excited and it doesn't feel genuine. Thanks Makari. And well done on the clipless shoes, that's hardcore!
Hello, I'm a long time cyclist from Australia. Been racing (road, mountain and track) and clipped into my pedals since I was 12 and I've had my fair share of falls when I was learning. Watching you get into cycling has brought a smile to my face so many times. My advice based on your struggles when coming to a stop. 1. Unclip one foot early. Change to an easier gear that you'll be able to start in easily. 2. Put your other foot at 6 O'clock and stand up (on that leg) out of the saddle. 3. Lean the bike ever so slightly to one side (your unclipped foot) and stand on that foot. 4. When you get moving again put the still clipped foot around 2 O'clock. This is a good position of power and this way you get a good pedal stroke in to start rolling while you stress about with your other foot.This way you'll only have to reclip one foot. It can be much harder on hills because you don't get much rolling distance. Practice this start technique (like you were on the grass. Stop, clip in, ride 10m, stop, repeat over and over) until its muscle memory and you can get your foot in almost every time first time without looking. That will really help with hill start As for bike selection, an endurance bike like a Giant Defy or Cervelo Caledonia (I had one of these, excellent bike), with wider tyres is great for bike-packing and predominantly road cycling but with the right tyres could do gravel and will have a lot of attachments. A Gravel bike would work equally as well but feel slightly more sluggish on the road. I can't see you racing a crit any time soon so that probably isn't a huge issue. Equally as good would be getting either of those kidns of bikes and just having 2 sets of wheels (gravel and road). I used to race with someone who has gone semi-pro and her current team rides Liv (a womens specific brand) and she swears by them. Have a look at their gravel and endurance bikes. They may be harder to get second hand though. Lastly, when you get a bike get a bike fit. You don't want to find yourself injured down the road. Keep doing you and having fun, your videos are a joy to watch.
tip nr1: you dont need clipless, sometimes i am annoyed when i want to switch foot position and it holds it in place tip nr2: go out of the clips veeeeeeeery early when you expect a stop ( i got 2 sided pedals and i just drive with the non clip side further) tip nr3: when turn 180 because wrong way, go out of clips, i didnt and i fall heavily very sneaky asking for recommendations for a bike, here is what i would do next time when i spend again 7k on a bike: you did the first step very right, buy a used bike to see if you like biking, and dont rush decision go to a bike shop where they give you good advices for buying a bike (they mostly sell expensive bikes, but it is worth the money if you are not impatient, means, dont buy because you are over excited) figure out what you want to do with the bike exactly and tell them, if you want to do everything, you end up with something it can do everything but not in top tier (gravel is not the only bike) take multiple appointments with the shop, and ask everything(!) you want to know, sleep some days, make some own research, go back to next appointment ride the bikes or equal bikes they have in the shop, in the end you might mix and match, so try for example the handle bar on that bike, the gear on that bike and the saddle on the next i recommend a 1x12 gear if you want the classy everyone decision ( it is simplier, less mechanic, which means less maintenance, less costs, less weight, and if you are not super pro, you dont need all the gears in the world, you can still achieve good speeds and still climb mountains) i recommend a rohloff gear hub if you decide flat handle bar, it is so less maintenance, it is heavier, but it is ultra reliable, most people decide for that if you travel a lot with the bike, like the world, but i love it the frame in the end is meaningless, i prefer aluminium and steel, dont like carbon, i got one steel bike with the rohloff, to ride the world, and one gravel bike with an sram 1x12 in aluminium, to do sporty things, like push really hard on performance, short trips, like 100km or 2 day trips if i want to set new records to myself consider integrated light if you go to work by bike or do a lot night trips if not, battery powered will do
I just have to say that since I saw the recommendation for your channel, everytime I watch one of your videos I feel happier, more motivated and adventurous at the same time. You're a natural at this (logging you r life's adventures and firsts at things) and one of the people I love to follow here. And BTW, now you can consider yourself a hardcore biker! Once you start bikepacking, there's no going back... ❤🎉👏 And congrats on the 100k subs milestone! 🥳🥳👏👏
The best advice my coach gave me when I was learning to ride clipless was to sit in a doorway and hold on to the door. And then just clip in and out about a billion times to get comfortable with the muscle memory, then just ride around on flat ground and keep clipping in and clipping out. I am a competitive mountain biker and I've only turtled once in the year and a half I've been using clipless. ❤❤❤❤
Before bike recommendations for d recommend getting a good headlight 600 lumens or more, and a headlamp, that lets you see and set up even in the dark. For bikepacking, your bike is actually ideal ie mechanical shifting, mechanical braking, metal frame. All things that are simple to fix and cheap to replace. Unless you’re planning to do very fast gravel rides, or ride very rough terrain, you don’t need an expensive gravel bike. That said, if you’re looking for a new bike look for a lot of gearing to help on climbs, wide tires +35mm, and attachment points on frame and fork.
So happy to see you embrace the love of cycling! I’ve been doing this a long time and I have two tips for you regarding starting and stopping. From what I’ve seen, you tend to start and stop while you’re straddling the saddle. That’s a no no. When starting, you should be straddling the top tube. One foot clipped in, typically your dominate side. Once you push off with that foot you lift up and straddle the saddle. 😜 When stopping, unclip your non dominate foot, hands on the hoods and brakes ready to slow stop, stand up from the saddle, dominate foot pressing down on the pedal at the bottom of the downstroke. Gently brake, and grab the ground with your unclipped foot, leaning slightly towards that side of the bike. Easy peasy! No falls and you’ll look like a pro. Happy to help more if you need it.
I love your bike videos, and I really hope you keep making them. I’ve been riding road bikes for almost 20 years now, and I do thousand of kilometers every year. Yet I find the «innocent» and honest videos of yours about bike riding so refreshing, and I really enjoy watching you fall in love with it. It reminds me why I’m so fond of the activity myself, but with a totally other approach than everyone else on UA-cam. Keep up the good work, you’re doing amazing!
Whoa serendipity. I leave tomorrow morning on my biggest solo bike packing challenge since I started last year. It's 110km from Nagoya to Gero hot springs, with total climb of 1,500m, and some of it on washed-out hiking trail. I'm figuring 12 hours on the move. Mood: same. ❗
Only in CANADA🍁 you can see a bike-girl in a Hokey pants. BRAVO...👏👏👏👏 Bike must be balanced and tweaked to a more power gear ratio (42-46 cassette) for backpacking. Welcome on board girl. Respect💪 Well Done and great video 🏆🥇
i still remember seeing a video and i thought just from the quality that this is a 500k+ channel EASILY and she was just at 25k. we're seeing the growth of an amazing channel live
The vibes are always positive, even when you're unsure of yourself or your situation. Please don't change anything about yourself or your video making process!
Makari! Haven't seen you since high-school - we will ignore that it's almost been 10 years since graduation 😳 - LOVE that you came back to doing videos (was always amazed at how good you were in school 😂). This video is so inspiring ♡ very much looking forward to the next one!
Great video, you're progressing really quickly ! Clipless pedals take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, they're amazing. One piece of advice, get off the saddle before you come to a complete stop, and when you get going, that way you can have your whole foot on the ground instead of just the tips. It'll help massively witth stability.
Came here to say this. Advice is valid for clips or flats. Practice 'track stands' with your flat pedals (search youtube for tutorials), this will help with your low speed balance and confidence standing on the pedals, hopefully move to confidence with being unseated and un clipping.
@@Bithu I'm not good at trackstands, personnally, never really had good balance like that. But riding a motorcycle has helped me with low speed balance a lot ! However, I don't think I will ever be able to just stay seated/clipped-in at a traffic light... But yeah, first thing is to learn to get started and come to a stop out of the saddle, just makes it so much easier to get your feet down.
Here's an "easy" tip for getting used to clipless pedals. Put them on an indoor trainer and use that for a good while to get your body used to the movements of clipping in and clipping out. That way you can internalize the muscle memory without worrying about tipping over.
my first bikepacking trip I did with a friend and biked from Pittsburgh to Washington DC -- the total distance was 330 miles/500+ km in 5 days . We nearly died every single day, and almost froze to death every night we camped, and I am surprised myself we aren't dead. I did not do any ounce of training (other than just living in a very hilly city so I had naturally developed great endurance for biking), and to store my stuff I had a milk crate on the back of my bike, which was extremely top heavy and resulted in by bike falling over nearly every time we stopped. Though I did have my film camera and took some of the nicest photos I've ever taken of Appalachia in autumn.
I loved it when you were eating the pizza and said "bikepacking is the best". I being doing it for a decade and it can get really tough but its so worth it. The little victories mean everything. Well done and good for you, a very enjoyable video. Oh and GRAVEL bike for the win!!!!
Makari, I genuiney feel so proud of you!!! Crazy how the internet can make us feel connected to people on the other side of the world we have never met, but this video genuinely gave me such a warm fuzzy feeling (and the urge to be a bit more brave, too) ❤ the audio of your conversation with that kind stranger almost made me tear up, that was so sweet! Like, yes, absolutely, you did a really scary thing, and you did it really well!!!!!
I got tearful at the end of this video. Your words and the images reminded me of my early days of riding, of that joy and accomplishment that comes with conquering a fear with rugged independence. I felt those same emotions you felt in your current stage of cycling (amazement, wonder, accomplishment, relief), and you reminded me of my first moments on the bike with those feelings. It brought joyful tears to my eyes and inspired me to get out on the bike for an adventure this weekend, even if it is cold. In any case, great work! Love the videos! Can't wait to see your next cycling adventure.
These videos are great, I've been racing since '86 and in the bike industry since '94... your insights on learning new parts of the craft and your courage to try is exactly what new riders need to see. I always tell my customers that nobody IS good at this stuff, you GET good at this stuff. Thanks for putting it out there!
The fact that you are already doing your first solo bikepacking trip after just a few months is super impressive and inspiring. And that's coming from kind of a "cool adventure person" - but it took me years of adventures with friends to have the confidence to go on a solo trip. Also unpopular opinion: flat pedals with trail runners are superior for bikepacking. At least on longer trips where you sometimes leave the bike behind to explore a city on foot or hike up a mountain.
I live for this series. Picked up biking for the first time as an adult last year and have loved it! Also recently switched to clipless and did my first century! Please keep making these so we can continue to follow your journey!
I always smile the entire time watching your videos, so much positive energy! And when it comes to a bike upgrade, a lot has been said, but you have to ask yourself what do you want to do with/on your bike. Road bikes are great for that feeling of lightness and speed. You can do bikepacking on them, but it will be difficult to mount a rack etc., so you would need to get bikepacking bags and light camping gear. Gravels offer more freedom - freedom to choose your path (within reason), deal with bad roads and city infrastructure. They can offer more comfort and better options when it comes to bikepacking. So really, as all salespeople would say, we need to know your needs and wants before we can offer advice.
I don’t know you, but I want you to know that I’m proud of you! You overcame fears and just did the darn thing! That is really awesome, there’s not a lot of people out there that would actually do something like that. I was rooting for you all through the hill climb and everything. Such a great experience, you have a new subscriber ma’am. Thanks so much for giving me my own motivation to get out there and just do it!
i have enjoyed a few bikepacking trips with my dad over the years and let me tell you, these 50 km by yourself are so important and fulfilling! I was rooting so hard for you when you were on the side of that hill because I have been stuck on the side of a few climbs and it is not fun at all. you should be really proud of yourself girl, you did that!!
For anyone new to clipless pedals, whenever you're planning on stopping, or coming to a situation in which you might have to stop quicly, unclip BOTH shoes few seconds before the bike gets unstable. Even if you are planning to lean let's say on your right foot, sometimes that plan fails and at that point it's reeeeeeally nice to have the left foot free as well. Also, there are clipless pedals which have the clipless system on one side and a regular pedal on the other side. I've used exclusively those for the past 15 years.
Love to watch your progression as a cyclist! We have all gone through what you're going through, and we are cheering you on as you navigate clipless pedals, bike packing, cycling-specific clothing, etc. Looking forward to the next instalment!
You’re doing great so far. I didn’t read the comments but you’d have a lot easier time clipping in and out of your pedals if you get off the seat. Don’t sit until you’ve started pedaling then clip the other foot in. Also when you come to a stop, unclip one foot and come off your seat as you put your free foot on the ground. Good luck and keep on riding!
If your new bike is BRAND new, look to your measurements from your bike fit. They should help narrow down which bikes geometry will fit comfortably and make hours on the road more fun. Look for bikes that let you reuse equipment you already have to keep the cost down (eyelets for racks is a big one). Components can be upgraded, but the frame should be exactly what you want (or as close as budget allows). Local shops sell bikes they believe in and know how to maintain, but there are other options (DTC) if you plan to do maintenance yourself. Can't go wrong with Specialized, Trek, or even Surly if you want to join the steel touring cult. Canyon, and boutique bike builders are (usually) on the Direct-To-Consumer side. I'd add the Specialized Diverge, Trek Checkpoint, Canyon Grizl, and Cannondale Topstone to your potential lists!
I love your cycling videos. I am an experienced cyclist myself but they are still 100% relatable. I believe the videos are giving others a great intro into cycling and bikepacking and the issues that come with it. I hope you really liked it in the end and have great adventures in the future!
Bikepacking will help you appreciate hills on a whole new level :). A couple thoughts from an armchair specialist, so take 'em or leave 'em: - I actually prefer plain old pedals for long rides. Yeah, they suck on hills but I'm not in a rush. I can stop and walk or take a break. And they are more comfortable because I can move my feet around when they get tired. I also have a hard time finding wide biking shoes that don't have an arch where it feels like standing on axes. - Your first bikepacking trip is always the worst. Sleeping is what really sucks and I haven't mastered that yet. It feels like I'm a super light sleeper when I camp. - Your seat was fairly high which makes clipless pedals more scary. Although seat height is great for efficiency, on long rides I go for comfort at the expense of distance. And even more so when I have a heavy bike. When stopping, get off your seat before putting your foot down. - The best bike is the one that puts the biggest smile on your face. Some days that's my commuter bike, and other days it's my all-mountain riding on a sofa of fluff bike that feels silky smooth but is like 20% slower. - I haven't used my road bike for like 4 years now, but conditions in my part of Alberta offer more gravel and dirt than you, it seems. I imagine if I had friends that were into road biking I would use it more. Eventually you'll find what works for you and it won't be the best according to the comments. Whatever you find enjoyable is what you should do. Thank you for sharing your adventure! :)
You'll get the hang of it. Everybody does. I can remember decades ago, having to flip the pedal, put your foot in the trap & then while riding, lean down & pull on the leather strap.
I switched from using clips for over 30 years to flat pedals and flat pedal shoes. Would never go back. Being able to change your foot position and still be glued to the pedal is a game changer
One hint for the pedal adaptation, get SM-SH56 cleats. They have another chamfer and release for your typical panic side pulling - and sometimes when pulling up too hard. So maybe you want to increase spring force on the pedals when using them.
You're SO inspirational, and I bet you felt incredibly accomplished! Cycling is always type two fun for me. its work on the way out, fun at the destination, and rewarding on the way home. Keep the content coming, you're awesome!
I suggest watching the GCN video comparing flat pedals to clipless and reconsidering whether you really want/need clipless. Especially on trips like this, where a lot of waking is involved, it's so much easier to just have flat pedals. Also it's just safer if you're not that stable on the bike yet (which might be in part because perhaps it's too long/big).
I can give you some advice on the clipless. I see you're trying to clip in as soon as you're getting off. You shouldn't do that and it's not needed. You can paddle without being clipped in, just keep your feet lightly on the paddels. I've also noticed that you try to stay on your saddle while stopping. This is not something you should do, only some people with tall legs can do that comfortably. What you should be doing is this: First off, clip in one of the paddles (mostly this will be your dominant foot or depending on the sideways slope, meaning you will clip in the foot that is downhill so you can lean uphill). Now put your paddle that is clipped upwards (45 degrees forward and upwards). Now push on that paddle while standing up and you'll go forward. Once going and on the saddle you can put your other foot on the other paddle. You now have time to clip (click) it in. While getting to a stop, unclip before standing still/stopping. This should be the side/foot that you have uphill or your dominant one. When standing still, just place that foot on the ground while keeping your other one clipped in. Now you can raise the clipped paddle back up, push and you're off again. Don't forget to get off that saddle when stopping. It's easier unclipping one foot, standing up on both paddles and then stop and place your foot on the ground. Hope this helps a little, gj on the journey!
As someone whos just getting into cycling, seeing someone taking on this kind of a challenge is really motivating and inspiring. Really excited to get out there❤
Good on you for getting out there on a bike and doing an overnight ride . My partner and i started small , now bikepacking is our preferred holiday. We love riding rail trails and quiet gravel routes . Another option which we do is to take less stuff and just stay in motels. Your load to carry is much lighter which allows you to ride further, and mostly you get a better night sleep . So many bikepacking routes to explore
if you want a new bike, think about what kind of riding you want do more of. Gravel bikes can do everything a road bike can do with a simple change of tires or wheels. A road bike won't be as versatile for doing bike packing, but they do look cool. If you're planning to do more bike packing, a 12 speed drive train will help get up hills.
You are such an inspiration! I started to get into biking a couple months ago and have wanted to try bikepacking. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
I just assembled my Ozark Trail Gravel bike from Walmart today. Comes in small and medium size for around 248 bucks. It's all over you tube if you need to research. Might be a good fit for you. I'm pretty sure you could eventually afford both road and gravel though. 🤠
Hi Makari! We took a cycle study trip to Utrecht, Netherlands and it changed my life! The cycle culture there is out of this world and it's just amazing to see how deeply ingrained cycling is in their daily lives. You might want to try it! It changed my perspective on cycling and made me realize that it doesn't have to be a sport or anything - it's meant to be simple and you shouldn't have to overthink it!
@@makariespe the cycle study tour we went to was specifically for designers and engineers (more on cycle infrastructure design, etc.) since I work in that industry but I know they offer other cycle tours that are more leisurely and takes you to various beautiful sites there! We cycled EVERYWHERE (at an easy pace, I might add), non-stop for 2 days to immerse in the experience.
Tips that might help, looses the pedal clip right off, and unclip one and only one foot well before you are at a crawl - say 50m up road. Also I tend to unclip left foot first . Make sure you down gear as well so you can push off with momentum to clip back in. Good job
Thanks for documenting your adventure. Watching someone get into cycling is truly unique content. I got a phd in bike shopping this year so I have two tips: - get a bike fit from a real bike fitter (not a bike shop) first. They should be able to give you a list of bikes from different manufacturers that will fit you well for you to choose from. Pick something on that list. Reputable bike fits usually cost around $500, and it’s money well spent. - Unless your budget is $10k+, strongly consider used markets like buycycle. You can get a lot more bike for your money, and new mid tier bikes just aren’t very compelling for their price.
I'm sure you've read and been given many tips for riding with clipless pedals/shoes. As you do, I live in Canada but this would apply to any country with "drive on the right". I'm not great with clipless but I have learned how to easily get my right foot out and put it down, whether on the ground, road or curb. Then I release my left pedal and swing my left leg over (away from traffic). The other thing is to plan your stops (not possible with emergency stops but if those are 0.1% of your stops, then 99.9% of your stops are planned) and ahead of a planned stop, I release my right foot so I'm ready to put it down.
I have fallen several times using clipless pedals. The most embarrassing was at a stop sign at the top of a steep hill…right in front of a public bus full of people. Your anxiousness in the beginning of the video really resonated lol
I always struggled with clipless pedals. I recently switched to magnetic (mag) pedals and absolutely love them. They give you that "locked in" feeling clipless does, but so much easier to get out of especially in a critical situation (me falling... again). Sure, they weigh a little more, but a pleeb like me who has 99 problems while cycling, a little extra weight isn't one of them. Great Job
Despite what you might think from social media, bikepacking is a stinky grind. An awesome, fun, and rewarding... stinky grind. If you're hauling enough clothes, etc to be as clean and comfy as you are when car camping you're probably hating how heavy it is.
If you move forward off your seat when you stop you'll be able to touch much easier than staying seated. My wife did this same thing when learning clip less and it helped her a lot.
So proud of you! Struggling up a hill is worth it because afterwards you can feel the pure, childlike joy of riding downhill. Maybe that works as a metaphor as well?
I’d definitely recommend an endurance bike that fits wider tires. Can throw all-road tires in there. Just need a bike fit first and make sure it can mount all the racks and panniers for bike packing 😊. It’s fun to watch someone else get bit by the cycling bug, loving all your cycling content so far.
Respect for learning to go clipless 2 days before the trip. Despite what GCN says, personally I stick to flat pedals. But kudos to you and your first trip!
Actually GCB tested flat vs clipless and found minimum difference in speed The choice is more a personal one, and to me clipless makes it so much more comfortable and always keeps your feet in the correct position. But personal indeed!
To me it seems pointless for leisure trip. I understand competitions, but for just riding to enjoy the view and road, doesn't seem really worth it. My husband actually has pedals that are half clip-half flat and love the options, but we never did actually use the clip version, even though we pedaled around 1000km on EuroVelo trips (Europe) a few years in a row (sometimes more).
@@Joppie86 I tried clipless when doing longer rides, you’re right to say it made very little difference performance wise. Being attached to the pedals made it rather unstable for me during steeper climbs, especially carrying a load on my bike. With flats, I don’t have to worry about falling with the bike if it did topple over when climbing. Maybe it’s just me 🙂↕️
new bike recommendation: steel gravel bike with 650B wheels would be super comfy. maybe a little heavy. marin 4 corners is what i bought for my wife. low stand over height, lots of mounting points to carry things, super smooth and comfortable ride. and great price. I ride a lauf seigla; unconventional looks, carbon fiber(light), but incredibly comfortable. you will meet lots of cyclists if you get one of those, the front fork is functional but stands out and is always a great conversation starter!! whatever you do, keep riding and have fun.
You ARE a cool adventure person. Welcome to the club of trying, doing, liking, learning and repeating! Thank you for sharing. Your channel goal? Nail it every time; I feel better after every one of your videos. ❤🙏
nice! no matter what anyone tells you, bike packing (biking in general) is a ride what ya got that makes you comfortable kind of thing. like no one really needs clipless pedals - if they work for you, great. if they don't work for you, rock those flats on any bike any place. applies to all gear decisions IMHO.
Great that you managed to learn clipless, but on the other hand, they are not necessary at all for bikepacking (nor for cycling in general actually), flats are just fine and then you don't necessarily need to bring extra shoes for off-bike activities. If you want a new bike, i'd suggest looking at the ones that have tons of eyelets for attaching stuff like bags, mudguards, etc. Also the wider tyre clearance the better, and comfy geometry. Brand matters much less, just choose something that you like.
I am going to be honest. I have been watching your content for a few months now. I never realised that you lived in BC until I saw the flag in the furry. Then suddenly so many things made sense. Now all streets became familiar. I am like "oh wow I have been there, I know that". Great to see someone making cool contents in my local area. Love your content
Congrats! If you're open to a suggestion--clipless will feel a lot less awkward on the mount/dismount if you straddle your top tube (rather than rest on the seat) when you clip in and out. That way you don't need to balance on your toes side to side (because the top tube is lower than the seat) and you can just transfer your weight back after clipping in your first shoe. For bicycles recommendations, it depends on what you're into. If you're looking for more bike camping/exploring, consider something with an internal hub and belt drive system (like a Priority Apollo), they need less maintenance and cleaning. They're slower though.
Loved this video too! Awesome to be able to share your journey. Thanks! Looks like a fun adventure! And yeah...clipless pedals never get less scary. Been using my $10 facebook marketplace ones for around a year now and I still fall off on a semi-regular basis. At this point I've come to peace with it, and am just grateful that all of my crashes are at 0 km/h lol. Does feel nice to be attached to the bike though.
Hello, I think even if you don't notice it, you got the face of happiness that cycling usually gives along with the wonderful sense of freedom and personal achievement. many congratulations, you graduated with a master's degree in happiness.
one o the most relatable youtube channels. Inspiring, beautiful storytelling. I discovered the channel with the video( roadtrip without phones)- You have a wonderful father
I'm try to learn english and i really love your channel. The way that you speak and do your videos it's interesting and joy; helps me to thaugh new words and have a relaxing time. Thank you so much!! Biking i'ts the best :D
doing great - little tip: clip out on one side on top of the pedal stroke, stand on the still clipped in foot and change from sitting on the saddle to sitting on the top tube - much easier to stand on the ground and keep control while clipping out 2nd foot ;)
You’re now a cool adventure person! Also if you’re looking into a new bike for more adventures like this- a steel touring frame from Surly, Fairlight, Kona etc would be a pretty good fit. You might want to hold off a little for shimano to fully launch their CUES for road line up or something…
New road bike or gravel bike… What do we think? 🤔
And of course, get your free LMNT sample pack with any purchase here: DrinkLMNT.com/makari
Road
Get a new road bike
nah go gravel its more versatile and if need be you could just get another road wheel set
I would suggest an all-road or endurance bike. But if you want to use it mainly everyday gravel is my choice.
Go for a gravel or endurance bike, not a full-on race bike, as these will be more comfortable on longer rides. Gravel bikes will usually allow you to fit wider tires, and will also have more attachment points.
As for bikes, I love my Giant Defy, it's a great all-rounder and really comfy. You can also look at the Revolt, which is Giant's gravel bike. And they also have a women-specific brand, called Liv, which might be an option as well.
And, almost more important than a new bike, get a proper, full bike-fit before and after getting the bike. Before to make sure you get the right size, and after to adjust it to fit you perfectly (saddle height and setback, stem length, handlebar height, etc).
You're doing amazingly well Makari - well done. Glad our videos have helped a little.... ❤
AAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! STOP!!!!!!
THANK YOU.
I will fly to the UK tomorrow to be in 5 seconds of your next video.
@@makariespethe fangirling is crazy 😭
I would love to see a collaboration with Manon and Makari about the bikepacking for beginners.
Ordering pizza to the campsite is a real baller move … like savant-level. YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS!
😆😆 THANK YOU
Sis has become a cyclist. A $15k bike is only a matter of time.
LOL
She's become a cyclist not a dentist that rides on Sunday only.
She found GCN. No turning back now.
Only one bike?
@@zedddddfula sponsor will pick her up
the falling in love with the gcn channel is one of the most important steps in a cyclist's journey
Couldn't agree more
Wait until she discovers Berm Peak and sees what he does. O.o
That guy makes newbies feel so welcome though!
Or the vegan cyclist
@@kaitlynbuquoi7132 I'm excited for her to find Francis Cade (Cade Media), He is currently doing a 1000 mile bikepacking trip through south western india. great content
100% agree both the main CGN and the CGN tech channels are the best
Hi, I am a cycling coach from NZ and I been getting into bike packing myself recently. One thing I have noticed is that you stay on your seat when you stop, try pulling forward when you stop so you can have 2 feet flat on the ground and spend some time riding of your seat its a super helpful skill. I also learnt the hard way bike packing is a slog, try balance the weight of the gear across your bike, it feels so much better to ride :) Thanks for making cool content
This!!!
I came to say this, but this great individual already did.
omg newzealander wooooooooooooooooo
Adding to this: not moving, put one leg at the lowest point (think 6 o'clock), scoot your butt forward so you're over your top tube and not on your saddle, other foot goes on the ground. Try it holding onto something first/have a friend hold your front wheel and handlebars really stable while you try this. And in flat pedals/tennis shoes is easier. Try this on both sides. Not moving. And then try starting and stopping, very slowly. Again on both sides.
This boosted the confidence of the 4-6 year olds I coached last summer because then they knew they could stop easily and with less risk of falling. Remember, baby steps!
Right, don't start and stop "on the seat." Swing your leg over the saddle and straddle the top tube. Clip in with one foot and then set it to the 3 o'clock. Push forward on the pedal and stand, bringing your butt onto the seat. Then clip in with your other foot. To stop, do this is reverse. Unclip one foot, usually your dominant foot. Apply the brakes and stand on the pedal while preparing to place your unclipped foot on the ground. As you control your brakes to a stop, lower your body again over the top tube and prepare to place your foot on the ground, leaning slightly to the unclipped side. Keep your other foot clipped in if you are going to start again.
I couldn't help but cheer out loud when the sponsored section came. I'm so glad Makari is finally getting paid for all her hard work 😭
Awe thank you so much!!
Dear Makari,
This is your subscriber from Belarus writing to you. I rarely leave comments under videos, but in this case, I couldn't pass by. Thank you so much for continuing to open up the world of travel and bicycles for people like me. I am constantly in awe of Canada's nature and your beauty. Excellent video! After watching it, I have a strong desire to try something similar, though I first need to get my own bike. Thank you for your videos, and keep up the great work.
Hey thanks for taking the time to leave a comments, I really appreciate it! :) And thank you for the kind words!
Tell me you're Canadian without telling me you're Canadian...:
"I learned to ride with clipless pedals in hockey pants..."
😂
"I've never been a cool adventure person", that quote runs deep with me.
the hockey pads are the most Canadian thing ever... I love it
here's what I've learned after 5 trips.
get a foldable chair! being able to just 'sit' right after making it to the camp site and while doing every other things during my stays changes soooo much of the experience.
I don't believe you ever cycled
It's so refreshing to see a video where someone admits to be really scared and anxious to try something - but going and doing it anyway. So many videos people are just always hyped and excited and it doesn't feel genuine. Thanks Makari. And well done on the clipless shoes, that's hardcore!
Hello,
I'm a long time cyclist from Australia. Been racing (road, mountain and track) and clipped into my pedals since I was 12 and I've had my fair share of falls when I was learning. Watching you get into cycling has brought a smile to my face so many times.
My advice based on your struggles when coming to a stop.
1. Unclip one foot early. Change to an easier gear that you'll be able to start in easily.
2. Put your other foot at 6 O'clock and stand up (on that leg) out of the saddle.
3. Lean the bike ever so slightly to one side (your unclipped foot) and stand on that foot.
4. When you get moving again put the still clipped foot around 2 O'clock. This is a good position of power and this way you get a good pedal stroke in to start rolling while you stress about with your other foot.This way you'll only have to reclip one foot.
It can be much harder on hills because you don't get much rolling distance. Practice this start technique (like you were on the grass. Stop, clip in, ride 10m, stop, repeat over and over) until its muscle memory and you can get your foot in almost every time first time without looking. That will really help with hill start
As for bike selection, an endurance bike like a Giant Defy or Cervelo Caledonia (I had one of these, excellent bike), with wider tyres is great for bike-packing and predominantly road cycling but with the right tyres could do gravel and will have a lot of attachments.
A Gravel bike would work equally as well but feel slightly more sluggish on the road. I can't see you racing a crit any time soon so that probably isn't a huge issue.
Equally as good would be getting either of those kidns of bikes and just having 2 sets of wheels (gravel and road).
I used to race with someone who has gone semi-pro and her current team rides Liv (a womens specific brand) and she swears by them. Have a look at their gravel and endurance bikes. They may be harder to get second hand though.
Lastly, when you get a bike get a bike fit. You don't want to find yourself injured down the road.
Keep doing you and having fun, your videos are a joy to watch.
Loving and appreciating these helpful comments!
tip nr1: you dont need clipless, sometimes i am annoyed when i want to switch foot position and it holds it in place
tip nr2: go out of the clips veeeeeeeery early when you expect a stop ( i got 2 sided pedals and i just drive with the non clip side further)
tip nr3: when turn 180 because wrong way, go out of clips, i didnt and i fall heavily
very sneaky asking for recommendations for a bike, here is what i would do next time when i spend again 7k on a bike:
you did the first step very right, buy a used bike to see if you like biking, and dont rush decision
go to a bike shop where they give you good advices for buying a bike (they mostly sell expensive bikes, but it is worth the money if you are not impatient, means, dont buy because you are over excited)
figure out what you want to do with the bike exactly and tell them, if you want to do everything, you end up with something it can do everything but not in top tier (gravel is not the only bike)
take multiple appointments with the shop, and ask everything(!) you want to know, sleep some days, make some own research, go back to next appointment
ride the bikes or equal bikes they have in the shop, in the end you might mix and match, so try for example the handle bar on that bike, the gear on that bike and the saddle on the next
i recommend a 1x12 gear if you want the classy everyone decision ( it is simplier, less mechanic, which means less maintenance, less costs, less weight, and if you are not super pro, you dont need all the gears in the world, you can still achieve good speeds and still climb mountains)
i recommend a rohloff gear hub if you decide flat handle bar, it is so less maintenance, it is heavier, but it is ultra reliable, most people decide for that if you travel a lot with the bike, like the world, but i love it
the frame in the end is meaningless, i prefer aluminium and steel, dont like carbon, i got one steel bike with the rohloff, to ride the world, and one gravel bike with an sram 1x12 in aluminium, to do sporty things, like push really hard on performance, short trips, like 100km or 2 day trips if i want to set new records to myself
consider integrated light if you go to work by bike or do a lot night trips if not, battery powered will do
I just have to say that since I saw the recommendation for your channel, everytime I watch one of your videos I feel happier, more motivated and adventurous at the same time. You're a natural at this (logging you r life's adventures and firsts at things) and one of the people I love to follow here.
And BTW, now you can consider yourself a hardcore biker! Once you start bikepacking, there's no going back... ❤🎉👏
And congrats on the 100k subs milestone! 🥳🥳👏👏
Hey thanks for all of the kind words Alex!! I really appreciate it :)
Same! I always think "should I start doing that?" 🤔
The best advice my coach gave me when I was learning to ride clipless was to sit in a doorway and hold on to the door. And then just clip in and out about a billion times to get comfortable with the muscle memory, then just ride around on flat ground and keep clipping in and clipping out. I am a competitive mountain biker and I've only turtled once in the year and a half I've been using clipless. ❤❤❤❤
Before bike recommendations for d recommend getting a good headlight 600 lumens or more, and a headlamp, that lets you see and set up even in the dark.
For bikepacking, your bike is actually ideal ie mechanical shifting, mechanical braking, metal frame. All things that are simple to fix and cheap to replace. Unless you’re planning to do very fast gravel rides, or ride very rough terrain, you don’t need an expensive gravel bike. That said, if you’re looking for a new bike look for a lot of gearing to help on climbs, wide tires +35mm, and attachment points on frame and fork.
So happy to see you embrace the love of cycling!
I’ve been doing this a long time and I have two tips for you regarding starting and stopping.
From what I’ve seen, you tend to start and stop while you’re straddling the saddle. That’s a no no.
When starting, you should be straddling the top tube. One foot clipped in, typically your dominate side. Once you push off with that foot you lift up and straddle the saddle. 😜
When stopping, unclip your non dominate foot, hands on the hoods and brakes ready to slow stop, stand up from the saddle, dominate foot pressing down on the pedal at the bottom of the downstroke. Gently brake, and grab the ground with your unclipped foot, leaning slightly towards that side of the bike.
Easy peasy! No falls and you’ll look like a pro.
Happy to help more if you need it.
Okay noted!! I'll try my best! Thank you for this explanation :)
@ just enjoy the ride, the views and the good health benefits! That’s truly the whole point of cycling, IMO.
the editing on the hockey pants practice ride was priceless 🤣
I'm glad you enjoyed it 😆
I love your bike videos, and I really hope you keep making them. I’ve been riding road bikes for almost 20 years now, and I do thousand of kilometers every year. Yet I find the «innocent» and honest videos of yours about bike riding so refreshing, and I really enjoy watching you fall in love with it. It reminds me why I’m so fond of the activity myself, but with a totally other approach than everyone else on UA-cam. Keep up the good work, you’re doing amazing!
Whoa serendipity. I leave tomorrow morning on my biggest solo bike packing challenge since I started last year. It's 110km from Nagoya to Gero hot springs, with total climb of 1,500m, and some of it on washed-out hiking trail. I'm figuring 12 hours on the move. Mood: same. ❗
You should be so proud of yourself. And you're so sweet. And brave.
Thanks Elizabeth, I really appreciate it :)
Only in CANADA🍁 you can see a bike-girl in a Hokey pants. BRAVO...👏👏👏👏
Bike must be balanced and tweaked to a more power gear ratio (42-46 cassette) for backpacking. Welcome on board girl. Respect💪 Well Done and great video 🏆🥇
YOU DID HIT THE 100K LETS GOOOO
WOOO!!
i still remember seeing a video and i thought just from the quality that this is a 500k+ channel EASILY and she was just at 25k. we're seeing the growth of an amazing channel live
@@ruben247 ong i thought the same a few months ago
The vibes are always positive, even when you're unsure of yourself or your situation. Please don't change anything about yourself or your video making process!
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
This journey of yours from starting cycling til now has been dope to watch. Cheers Makari!
You`re the only person who can make me watch a video about bikes. Keep up the good work Makari! ❤
awe thank you!
Makari! Haven't seen you since high-school - we will ignore that it's almost been 10 years since graduation 😳 - LOVE that you came back to doing videos (was always amazed at how good you were in school 😂). This video is so inspiring ♡ very much looking forward to the next one!
Great video, you're progressing really quickly ! Clipless pedals take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, they're amazing.
One piece of advice, get off the saddle before you come to a complete stop, and when you get going, that way you can have your whole foot on the ground instead of just the tips. It'll help massively witth stability.
Came here to say this. Advice is valid for clips or flats. Practice 'track stands' with your flat pedals (search youtube for tutorials), this will help with your low speed balance and confidence standing on the pedals, hopefully move to confidence with being unseated and un clipping.
@@Bithu I'm not good at trackstands, personnally, never really had good balance like that. But riding a motorcycle has helped me with low speed balance a lot ! However, I don't think I will ever be able to just stay seated/clipped-in at a traffic light...
But yeah, first thing is to learn to get started and come to a stop out of the saddle, just makes it so much easier to get your feet down.
Here's an "easy" tip for getting used to clipless pedals.
Put them on an indoor trainer and use that for a good while to get your body used to the movements of clipping in and clipping out. That way you can internalize the muscle memory without worrying about tipping over.
Proud of you for this one! As a viewer, we could feel the excitement, nervousness, and accomplishment. Well done on trying something new and scary!
Hey thanks James - I'm glad you liked it! :)
my first bikepacking trip I did with a friend and biked from Pittsburgh to Washington DC -- the total distance was 330 miles/500+ km in 5 days . We nearly died every single day, and almost froze to death every night we camped, and I am surprised myself we aren't dead. I did not do any ounce of training (other than just living in a very hilly city so I had naturally developed great endurance for biking), and to store my stuff I had a milk crate on the back of my bike, which was extremely top heavy and resulted in by bike falling over nearly every time we stopped. Though I did have my film camera and took some of the nicest photos I've ever taken of Appalachia in autumn.
I loved it when you were eating the pizza and said "bikepacking is the best". I being doing it for a decade and it can get really tough but its so worth it. The little victories mean everything. Well done and good for you, a very enjoyable video. Oh and GRAVEL bike for the win!!!!
Makari, I genuiney feel so proud of you!!! Crazy how the internet can make us feel connected to people on the other side of the world we have never met, but this video genuinely gave me such a warm fuzzy feeling (and the urge to be a bit more brave, too) ❤ the audio of your conversation with that kind stranger almost made me tear up, that was so sweet! Like, yes, absolutely, you did a really scary thing, and you did it really well!!!!!
I got tearful at the end of this video. Your words and the images reminded me of my early days of riding, of that joy and accomplishment that comes with conquering a fear with rugged independence. I felt those same emotions you felt in your current stage of cycling (amazement, wonder, accomplishment, relief), and you reminded me of my first moments on the bike with those feelings. It brought joyful tears to my eyes and inspired me to get out on the bike for an adventure this weekend, even if it is cold.
In any case, great work! Love the videos! Can't wait to see your next cycling adventure.
These videos are great, I've been racing since '86 and in the bike industry since '94... your insights on learning new parts of the craft and your courage to try is exactly what new riders need to see. I always tell my customers that nobody IS good at this stuff, you GET good at this stuff. Thanks for putting it out there!
The fact that you are already doing your first solo bikepacking trip after just a few months is super impressive and inspiring. And that's coming from kind of a "cool adventure person" - but it took me years of adventures with friends to have the confidence to go on a solo trip.
Also unpopular opinion: flat pedals with trail runners are superior for bikepacking. At least on longer trips where you sometimes leave the bike behind to explore a city on foot or hike up a mountain.
You did it!!! Congratulations! So proud, so proud❤
I live for this series. Picked up biking for the first time as an adult last year and have loved it! Also recently switched to clipless and did my first century! Please keep making these so we can continue to follow your journey!
I'm glad you're enjoying them! :)
These 3 cycling videos were magnificent. It was great to see pure victory and pride on your face. Good job, keep having fun!
I always smile the entire time watching your videos, so much positive energy! And when it comes to a bike upgrade, a lot has been said, but you have to ask yourself what do you want to do with/on your bike.
Road bikes are great for that feeling of lightness and speed. You can do bikepacking on them, but it will be difficult to mount a rack etc., so you would need to get bikepacking bags and light camping gear.
Gravels offer more freedom - freedom to choose your path (within reason), deal with bad roads and city infrastructure. They can offer more comfort and better options when it comes to bikepacking.
So really, as all salespeople would say, we need to know your needs and wants before we can offer advice.
I don’t know you, but I want you to know that I’m proud of you! You overcame fears and just did the darn thing! That is really awesome, there’s not a lot of people out there that would actually do something like that. I was rooting for you all through the hill climb and everything. Such a great experience, you have a new subscriber ma’am. Thanks so much for giving me my own motivation to get out there and just do it!
Not just hockey pants but old school hockey pants! I love it!
‘Old things die hard’. The whole hockey bag survived the decluttering process 😂❤️
i have enjoyed a few bikepacking trips with my dad over the years and let me tell you, these 50 km by yourself are so important and fulfilling! I was rooting so hard for you when you were on the side of that hill because I have been stuck on the side of a few climbs and it is not fun at all. you should be really proud of yourself girl, you did that!!
Your vids renews my love for cycling, and Im pretty sure it really helps new cyclists as well. Keep up the good work 😊
For anyone new to clipless pedals, whenever you're planning on stopping, or coming to a situation in which you might have to stop quicly, unclip BOTH shoes few seconds before the bike gets unstable. Even if you are planning to lean let's say on your right foot, sometimes that plan fails and at that point it's reeeeeeally nice to have the left foot free as well. Also, there are clipless pedals which have the clipless system on one side and a regular pedal on the other side. I've used exclusively those for the past 15 years.
Love to watch your progression as a cyclist! We have all gone through what you're going through, and we are cheering you on as you navigate clipless pedals, bike packing, cycling-specific clothing, etc. Looking forward to the next instalment!
You’re doing great so far. I didn’t read the comments but you’d have a lot easier time clipping in and out of your pedals if you get off the seat. Don’t sit until you’ve started pedaling then clip the other foot in. Also when you come to a stop, unclip one foot and come off your seat as you put your free foot on the ground. Good luck and keep on riding!
If your new bike is BRAND new, look to your measurements from your bike fit. They should help narrow down which bikes geometry will fit comfortably and make hours on the road more fun.
Look for bikes that let you reuse equipment you already have to keep the cost down (eyelets for racks is a big one). Components can be upgraded, but the frame should be exactly what you want (or as close as budget allows).
Local shops sell bikes they believe in and know how to maintain, but there are other options (DTC) if you plan to do maintenance yourself. Can't go wrong with Specialized, Trek, or even Surly if you want to join the steel touring cult. Canyon, and boutique bike builders are (usually) on the Direct-To-Consumer side.
I'd add the Specialized Diverge, Trek Checkpoint, Canyon Grizl, and Cannondale Topstone to your potential lists!
Yes GCN! A Makari and Hank collab would be just the kind of positive energy the world needs ❤
that would be the best day of my life 😂
I love your cycling videos. I am an experienced cyclist myself but they are still 100% relatable. I believe the videos are giving others a great intro into cycling and bikepacking and the issues that come with it. I hope you really liked it in the end and have great adventures in the future!
Bikepacking will help you appreciate hills on a whole new level :). A couple thoughts from an armchair specialist, so take 'em or leave 'em:
- I actually prefer plain old pedals for long rides. Yeah, they suck on hills but I'm not in a rush. I can stop and walk or take a break. And they are more comfortable because I can move my feet around when they get tired. I also have a hard time finding wide biking shoes that don't have an arch where it feels like standing on axes.
- Your first bikepacking trip is always the worst. Sleeping is what really sucks and I haven't mastered that yet. It feels like I'm a super light sleeper when I camp.
- Your seat was fairly high which makes clipless pedals more scary. Although seat height is great for efficiency, on long rides I go for comfort at the expense of distance. And even more so when I have a heavy bike. When stopping, get off your seat before putting your foot down.
- The best bike is the one that puts the biggest smile on your face. Some days that's my commuter bike, and other days it's my all-mountain riding on a sofa of fluff bike that feels silky smooth but is like 20% slower.
- I haven't used my road bike for like 4 years now, but conditions in my part of Alberta offer more gravel and dirt than you, it seems. I imagine if I had friends that were into road biking I would use it more.
Eventually you'll find what works for you and it won't be the best according to the comments. Whatever you find enjoyable is what you should do. Thank you for sharing your adventure! :)
those are all great points in my opinion :)
I second this :)
You'll get the hang of it. Everybody does. I can remember decades ago, having to flip the pedal, put your foot in the trap & then while riding, lean down & pull on the leather strap.
I switched from using clips for over 30 years to flat pedals and flat pedal shoes. Would never go back. Being able to change your foot position and still be glued to the pedal is a game changer
Same❤
As a dad, I bet your dad is so unbelievably proud of you. 💪
yep 😊
I’m so happy for you. There’s no better feeling than reaching the summit after a climb
Thank you!
Rocky!!!
One hint for the pedal adaptation, get SM-SH56 cleats. They have another chamfer and release for your typical panic side pulling - and sometimes when pulling up too hard. So maybe you want to increase spring force on the pedals when using them.
You're SO inspirational, and I bet you felt incredibly accomplished! Cycling is always type two fun for me. its work on the way out, fun at the destination, and rewarding on the way home. Keep the content coming, you're awesome!
I suggest watching the GCN video comparing flat pedals to clipless and reconsidering whether you really want/need clipless. Especially on trips like this, where a lot of waking is involved, it's so much easier to just have flat pedals. Also it's just safer if you're not that stable on the bike yet (which might be in part because perhaps it's too long/big).
I can give you some advice on the clipless. I see you're trying to clip in as soon as you're getting off. You shouldn't do that and it's not needed. You can paddle without being clipped in, just keep your feet lightly on the paddels. I've also noticed that you try to stay on your saddle while stopping. This is not something you should do, only some people with tall legs can do that comfortably. What you should be doing is this: First off, clip in one of the paddles (mostly this will be your dominant foot or depending on the sideways slope, meaning you will clip in the foot that is downhill so you can lean uphill). Now put your paddle that is clipped upwards (45 degrees forward and upwards). Now push on that paddle while standing up and you'll go forward. Once going and on the saddle you can put your other foot on the other paddle. You now have time to clip (click) it in. While getting to a stop, unclip before standing still/stopping. This should be the side/foot that you have uphill or your dominant one. When standing still, just place that foot on the ground while keeping your other one clipped in. Now you can raise the clipped paddle back up, push and you're off again. Don't forget to get off that saddle when stopping. It's easier unclipping one foot, standing up on both paddles and then stop and place your foot on the ground. Hope this helps a little, gj on the journey!
Learning to track stand also will be a major help! (I'm still trying to get there.)
As someone whos just getting into cycling, seeing someone taking on this kind of a challenge is really motivating and inspiring. Really excited to get out there❤
Good on you for getting out there on a bike and doing an overnight ride . My partner and i started small , now bikepacking is our preferred holiday. We love riding rail trails and quiet gravel routes .
Another option which we do is to take less stuff and just stay in motels. Your load to carry is much lighter which allows you to ride further, and mostly you get a better night sleep . So many bikepacking routes to explore
if you want a new bike, think about what kind of riding you want do more of. Gravel bikes can do everything a road bike can do with a simple change of tires or wheels. A road bike won't be as versatile for doing bike packing, but they do look cool. If you're planning to do more bike packing, a 12 speed drive train will help get up hills.
You are such an inspiration! I started to get into biking a couple months ago and have wanted to try bikepacking. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Thanks for watching Hannah! :)
I just assembled my Ozark Trail Gravel bike from Walmart today. Comes in small and medium size for around 248 bucks. It's all over you tube if you need to research. Might be a good fit for you.
I'm pretty sure you could eventually afford both road and gravel though. 🤠
Hi Makari! We took a cycle study trip to Utrecht, Netherlands and it changed my life! The cycle culture there is out of this world and it's just amazing to see how deeply ingrained cycling is in their daily lives. You might want to try it! It changed my perspective on cycling and made me realize that it doesn't have to be a sport or anything - it's meant to be simple and you shouldn't have to overthink it!
Oh my god that sounds so fun!!
@@makariespe the cycle study tour we went to was specifically for designers and engineers (more on cycle infrastructure design, etc.) since I work in that industry but I know they offer other cycle tours that are more leisurely and takes you to various beautiful sites there! We cycled EVERYWHERE (at an easy pace, I might add), non-stop for 2 days to immerse in the experience.
So exciting!! Makari, you might need a crew to accompany you! 😉 ❤
Tips that might help, looses the pedal clip right off, and unclip one and only one foot well before you are at a crawl - say 50m up road. Also I tend to unclip left foot first . Make sure you down gear as well so you can push off with momentum to clip back in.
Good job
I love your sense of fun and adventure. Every video carries this - they are always a joy!
Thanks for documenting your adventure. Watching someone get into cycling is truly unique content.
I got a phd in bike shopping this year so I have two tips:
- get a bike fit from a real bike fitter (not a bike shop) first. They should be able to give you a list of bikes from different manufacturers that will fit you well for you to choose from. Pick something on that list. Reputable bike fits usually cost around $500, and it’s money well spent.
- Unless your budget is $10k+, strongly consider used markets like buycycle. You can get a lot more bike for your money, and new mid tier bikes just aren’t very compelling for their price.
I recently started biking and found this UA-cam channel. Completed my 50+ miles longest ride.. let’s go
heck ya!
I'm sure you've read and been given many tips for riding with clipless pedals/shoes. As you do, I live in Canada but this would apply to any country with "drive on the right". I'm not great with clipless but I have learned how to easily get my right foot out and put it down, whether on the ground, road or curb. Then I release my left pedal and swing my left leg over (away from traffic). The other thing is to plan your stops (not possible with emergency stops but if those are 0.1% of your stops, then 99.9% of your stops are planned) and ahead of a planned stop, I release my right foot so I'm ready to put it down.
I have fallen several times using clipless pedals. The most embarrassing was at a stop sign at the top of a steep hill…right in front of a public bus full of people. Your anxiousness in the beginning of the video really resonated lol
Oh god that is my nightmare! I'm glad you recovered from that one 😆
I just purchased a Canyon Grizl 6 and I love it!! Fast and capable of single track. Just under 2K so it’s not to bad price point. Love your videos
You look so happy with your big smile! And stop it! Humour, editing skills, cycling, adventures. I'm starting to simp here :)
I always struggled with clipless pedals. I recently switched to magnetic (mag) pedals and absolutely love them. They give you that "locked in" feeling clipless does, but so much easier to get out of especially in a critical situation (me falling... again). Sure, they weigh a little more, but a pleeb like me who has 99 problems while cycling, a little extra weight isn't one of them. Great Job
Despite what you might think from social media, bikepacking is a stinky grind. An awesome, fun, and rewarding... stinky grind. If you're hauling enough clothes, etc to be as clean and comfy as you are when car camping you're probably hating how heavy it is.
Bikepacking is fun. The bike only feels heavy until you're in motion.
If you move forward off your seat when you stop you'll be able to touch much easier than staying seated. My wife did this same thing when learning clip less and it helped her a lot.
okay noted - thank you!
So proud of you! Struggling up a hill is worth it because afterwards you can feel the pure, childlike joy of riding downhill. Maybe that works as a metaphor as well?
I’d definitely recommend an endurance bike that fits wider tires. Can throw all-road tires in there. Just need a bike fit first and make sure it can mount all the racks and panniers for bike packing 😊. It’s fun to watch someone else get bit by the cycling bug, loving all your cycling content so far.
Hey thanks for the recommendations! :)
Respect for learning to go clipless 2 days before the trip. Despite what GCN says, personally I stick to flat pedals. But kudos to you and your first trip!
Actually GCB tested flat vs clipless and found minimum difference in speed The choice is more a personal one, and to me clipless makes it so much more comfortable and always keeps your feet in the correct position. But personal indeed!
To me it seems pointless for leisure trip. I understand competitions, but for just riding to enjoy the view and road, doesn't seem really worth it. My husband actually has pedals that are half clip-half flat and love the options, but we never did actually use the clip version, even though we pedaled around 1000km on EuroVelo trips (Europe) a few years in a row (sometimes more).
@@Joppie86 I tried clipless when doing longer rides, you’re right to say it made very little difference performance wise. Being attached to the pedals made it rather unstable for me during steeper climbs, especially carrying a load on my bike. With flats, I don’t have to worry about falling with the bike if it did topple over when climbing. Maybe it’s just me 🙂↕️
new bike recommendation: steel gravel bike with 650B wheels would be super comfy. maybe a little heavy. marin 4 corners is what i bought for my wife. low stand over height, lots of mounting points to carry things, super smooth and comfortable ride. and great price.
I ride a lauf seigla; unconventional looks, carbon fiber(light), but incredibly comfortable. you will meet lots of cyclists if you get one of those, the front fork is functional but stands out and is always a great conversation starter!!
whatever you do, keep riding and have fun.
You ARE a cool adventure person. Welcome to the club of trying, doing, liking, learning and repeating! Thank you for sharing. Your channel goal? Nail it every time; I feel better after every one of your videos. ❤🙏
Awe thank you so much for sharing this - I really appreciate it! :)
That solo fire starting was incredibly impressive. You were made for the adventure person life 😊
Thank you :')
nice! no matter what anyone tells you, bike packing (biking in general) is a ride what ya got that makes you comfortable kind of thing. like no one really needs clipless pedals - if they work for you, great. if they don't work for you, rock those flats on any bike any place. applies to all gear decisions IMHO.
Great that you managed to learn clipless, but on the other hand, they are not necessary at all for bikepacking (nor for cycling in general actually), flats are just fine and then you don't necessarily need to bring extra shoes for off-bike activities.
If you want a new bike, i'd suggest looking at the ones that have tons of eyelets for attaching stuff like bags, mudguards, etc. Also the wider tyre clearance the better, and comfy geometry. Brand matters much less, just choose something that you like.
I am going to be honest. I have been watching your content for a few months now. I never realised that you lived in BC until I saw the flag in the furry. Then suddenly so many things made sense. Now all streets became familiar. I am like "oh wow I have been there, I know that". Great to see someone making cool contents in my local area. Love your content
Congrats!
If you're open to a suggestion--clipless will feel a lot less awkward on the mount/dismount if you straddle your top tube (rather than rest on the seat) when you clip in and out. That way you don't need to balance on your toes side to side (because the top tube is lower than the seat) and you can just transfer your weight back after clipping in your first shoe.
For bicycles recommendations, it depends on what you're into. If you're looking for more bike camping/exploring, consider something with an internal hub and belt drive system (like a Priority Apollo), they need less maintenance and cleaning. They're slower though.
An inspiration!! A queen among us all. Well done Makari ❤🚴🏻♀️
Loved this video too! Awesome to be able to share your journey. Thanks! Looks like a fun adventure!
And yeah...clipless pedals never get less scary. Been using my $10 facebook marketplace ones for around a year now and I still fall off on a semi-regular basis. At this point I've come to peace with it, and am just grateful that all of my crashes are at 0 km/h lol. Does feel nice to be attached to the bike though.
Hello, I think even if you don't notice it, you got the face of happiness that cycling usually gives along with the wonderful sense of freedom and personal achievement. many congratulations, you graduated with a master's degree in happiness.
one o the most relatable youtube channels. Inspiring, beautiful storytelling.
I discovered the channel with the video( roadtrip without phones)-
You have a wonderful father
I love yours and your dads relationship, it's so wholesome
Also, you're doing great! Learning everything is honestly the best time you'll have in cycling. You'll look back and miss these times of learning!
I'm try to learn english and i really love your channel. The way that you speak and do your videos it's interesting and joy; helps me to thaugh new words and have a relaxing time. Thank you so much!!
Biking i'ts the best :D
doing great - little tip: clip out on one side on top of the pedal stroke, stand on the still clipped in foot and change from sitting on the saddle to sitting on the top tube - much easier to stand on the ground and keep control while clipping out 2nd foot ;)
so proud of you for hitting 100,000 subscribers! i love your channel!
Thank you Jay! :)
"I've never been a cool adventure person"... well you are now. Nice work, Makari! 👏
Love the positive energy you bring to your videos, can't wait for the next one
Hey thanks I appreciate it! :) New video coming out this Thursday!
You’re now a cool adventure person! Also if you’re looking into a new bike for more adventures like this- a steel touring frame from Surly, Fairlight, Kona etc would be a pretty good fit. You might want to hold off a little for shimano to fully launch their CUES for road line up or something…