I would recommend packing all liquids in individual zip-lock bags. Oils, sauces, soap, gels, creams, etc. I've been touring for 10 years and I've learned that anything that can leak will leak. Vibration will open lids, impact pops tubes and gel pouches, and so on. It's just a matter of time. And oily stuff is especially nasty and hard to get out of the fabric.
For douche gel, shampoo, deo and toothpaste, there are solid versions in various shops (bio shops or lush). No leeking possible. Just the best if those items are a needed on the trip :)
Oh see, this is how you do it. We literally put 60-70L hiking back packs on, filled with our gear and took off. We were obviously top heavy so had to take it slow and steady. I'll have to look into these frame packs if I do more bike packing.
Good list. I use a Vango F10 Helium tent because it pitches outer first, which is a must when it's wet. I store it in the handlebar bag because I don't find that the easiest to access during the day. I also always pack a footprint tarp which in total brings its trail weight to 1kg. When packing a wet tent, I always pack the inner and outer separately in the handlebar bag, divided by the footprint, so that the inner stays dry. I use a Klymit half-skeleton sleeping mat (120g), and my sleeping bag is a Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer down bag which is light and warm: weighs 500 grams, packs down to nothing and I always pair it to a silk liner for extra warmth and cleanliness. if I need more warmth I wear my spare clean (or at least dry) cycling gear. For pillow I just use my clothes in a carrier bag. I prefer a full frame pack, and instead of bottles I use a Camelbak backpack: yes it's on my back but no, I don't feel the weight, and it easily carries 2.5L water yet keeps the bike agile on bumpy technical ground. I did have water bottles on the frame but I find they make the bike unnecessarily heavy and don't really make much difference in terms of comfort, plus take away room from my frame pack: I'd rather have stuff in the middle of the bike. Also if I decide to go for a lightweight bike packing adventure that requires me to shoulder the bike, I prefer no frame pack and no water bottles in the way either.
Tent sounds nice but Vango quote 1.01kg trail weight which is presumably without the footprint. Good weight for a 2 skin tent anyway. If I had the money and was using it regularly I'd be tempted. I have a cheap(ish) Geertop one which is about the same weight but single skin apart from the mesh side and outer porch.
I won't use down, cant imagine it's nice for the geese. I have a 220g synthetic bag that just comes up to the waist, squashes to fist size. It's made for mountain marathon runners. plus light insulated jacket I'd take anyway.
Second lockdown summer, second tour of Belgium here. Last year I made all the mistakes you make on a first trip; way too much weight carried around, too much food = more weight, slept over at friends whilst I wanted to eat, sleep and prepare the next day etc etc. This year the mistakes were not having bike serviced before the trip, and of course forgetting the spare tubes at home which resulted in a nervous breakdown in the middle of a forest. Next year will be flawless :-) Anyway, your videos are the proof for me you can do it with much less stuff ! Keep it up, and safe travels !!
Dartmoor - Cornwall - lol :) Back in the day they used to have things called map reading competitions with the OS map handily attached to the front stem by a neat spring loaded clamp.. the good old days lol.
Hello once again from ARGENTINA ... my recomendation: 4 water bottles and another larger for cooking. Bar Bag: (Off the bike stuff): Tents and Sleeping Materiales, inflatable pillow, sleeping bag, t-shirts, bear socks. Top Tube Bag: A buff, energy bars and peaces of food, power banks, batteries, GoPro Hero, cables. Frame Bag: Meal you can eat without water, head torch, waterproof jacket, lightweight down puffy jacket, porridge arms warmers, porridge legs warmers, speedo, random food, tools, patches & glue, two tubes, mini pump, usb & usb-c cables, charging devices cables. Seat Pack: The whole Cooking System, (stove kit, gas, MSR micro rocket); because you know you must keep food out and far of the tent; rice, pasta, more t-shirts & bear socks, lightweight trousers, a pair of sandals attached out of the Seat Pack.
Here's my tip. 700ml titanium mug (fairly cheap one) doubles as cooking pot with Soto stove inside. Comes in a mesh bag you can squeeze a small gas cylinder in. Whole thing is still small enough to go in the front bag diametrically (is that a word?) with tent and 2 days food.
Did you invent the Tardis? I could swear there's some kind of magic going on here, how much stuff comes out of a little bag. A tent and a set of pots and pans from a seat bag!
2:45 ...in France, we call this "earplugs" boules Quies, reference to the old brand Quies. Quies means "calm", "tranquility" in Latin. The name will be taken over by a Parisian pharmacist who, in 1918, manufactured hearing protection for the first time at the request of a client who complained of noise pollution, whose husband joined in 1921 with the pharmacist to create the brand . The first hearing protections were based on a mixture of wax and cotton, and this type of earplug still exists today, although the range of hearing protection has expanded.
This video is perfect timing!!! I'm going on my first bike packing trip next month and I'm so full of questions of what do other people take and how do they pack it. Thanks so much for sharing!!💕
I just came back from 2 nights on a section of the Highland 550. Some serious hike-a-bike segments but absolutely worth it. Out of this world scenery. The North Coast 500 is also on my list of must dos.
just looked at it and it's cool, but not sure why you'd want to do that, considering you can get 1 or 2L bladders, which are much more pliable and can be stuffed after use
@@cwr8618 the flexible bladders are floppy and unruly. The rigid tank seems to be easier to drink from for the entirety of its content, as it doesn't pinch and stop supplying water, etc. Also it is lower down than you can usually fit a soft bladder, keeping the weight low.
Another recommendation I’ve read is to always bring a spare rear derailleur hanger (the thing that connects the derailleur to the frame). Cos if that goes, it’s trip over. It needs to be the right hanger for your particular frame. (And finding a local bike shop out on your trip that stores the exact hanger you need is probably a long shot)
It's not ideal, but if a rear derailleur or hanger goes you just remove it and shorten the chain to work in a single gear. I find something like 60 to 70 gear inches is a good compromise. Then you ride asap to the nearest bike shop. If they don't have the hanger they can order it or you could order it and have it shipped to your motel and install it yourself.
Great post! For the rear bag I use a rack with a drybag strapped to it. That way I can use different size drybags according to the trip. I have a 10L, 20L, or a 30L. Of course I can also strap other things on as well if I need or want. I have a handlebar bag similar to yours, plus some other minor differences. I use a hammock and tarp, being in Thailand, but I can also sleep on the ground if necessary. My stuff aside from bike and water weighs about 10-12 kg. Happy Cycling!
I sympathise with you and the wet tent. I guess a Basha just needs shaking off from the dew, Every tent I have ever owned had me stay on site until the sun dried it off.
You're correct about the Fold-a-cup. It's a Swedish invention, originally designed and made for the Swedish military(*) in the eighties, but they soon realised that basically everybody else going outdoors could make good use of them. I don't know how many I have of them, but it's quite a few since I have a couple of different kits ready or almost ready to go for different activities like e.g. kayaking and ice skating. (*) That's why you could only get them in the original greyish green colour in the beginning.
Bikepacking set ups often go a bit "bag crazy" with four or more bags all over the bike. I find a Carradice Camper and an Ortlieb Classic bar bag or a front bag roll work very well and they make the practicalities of traveling with your bike on planes and trains very simple as with two bags you have just hand luggage. I've never seen the need for top tube bags as I keep snacks in my back pockets.
That's a lovely ride, Mike. A slight gradient uphill on day one giving you gravity credits for day two. I live on the Taff Trail near Merthyr so ride the route regularly. And I always plan my routes like that. Head north, burn myself out, knowing the way back is going to be easier.
I like your setup and have used a similar setup before. It worked fine, but i have tweaked it a bit in order to store more equipment in a larger frame bag, and I also invested in the same brand as you. My frame bag is now a larger model that takes up all the room in my frame, but it allows for more stuff beeing stored in the middle of my bike, making the weight distribution more balanced. I compencate the loss of a water bottle in my frame by using a water bottle pouch strapped to my handlebars. I also use the water bottle on my the bottom of my down tube as a refill for the bottle on my handlebars that is more accessible and not so gunked with dirt all the time. Thanks for the great content. I will certainly try to fint the same tent as you have, as mine is heavier, more bulky and not as quick to pitch.
I have just bought the Alpkit Soloist tent and the inflatable pillow from Alpkit, for a camping trip in October. Can’t wait to try them out. I’m also thinking about purchasing a new bike for some long distance bike packing trips, they look like a lot of fun.
I hope to some day be able to bikepack on my Mtn bike. I use to do bike tours on weekends when I was in High School and watching all these self contained bike trips is making me want get out again for overnighters
This has been the most encouraging video I have seen to what I want to do, as soon as the corona chills out I want to ride around South Korea. but I had no idea how I would carry all my stuff or how much I would need. I'm thinking of selling my car buying a folding bike for overseas travel knowing that I can compact all this stuff onto it is fantastic! Great video might have to watch it a few times to fully understand all the individual bags, ( and I probably need to learn how to ride a bike again)
Awesome video! 😀👍 Re:water issue, grab a sawyer mini water filter and you can drink from streams etc safely. There's a thingy that comes with it so you can filter water into bottles for later too 👍
You can get a sleep system with a bivy sack and two levels of sleeping bag. The bivy sack would allow you to not have a tent. It's a Gore-Tex style mummy sack. It's okay in colder weather but in the summer it gets pretty hot.
Even a lightweight bivvy is around 5-750g the Alpkit soloist is just over 1Kg. Sleep in a bivvy you get condensation and wet sleeping bag. Ok for a 1 night but anything more the comfort of the tent outweighs the small weight saving.
A few years back, I rode an old Trek mountain bike across the Cascade Mountains, Washington, U.S.A. and back (1 week trip). Most important item? My old stainless steel Bellman stovetop espresso maker. I'm sure it weighs more than your carbonframe but making a mocha up in the mountains is a great way to start the day. And the thing steams better than my countertop espresso maker:)) Next time I will bring some bear mace though after getting on my bike and having a black bear come out to check out where I had just had my tent set up.
Hi Juliet great video thanks, got some useful tips. I'm doing my first bike packing wild camping trip and thought i would make it an easy one, so 10 days solo doing about 300 miles on the Outer Hebridise and Skye. Just hoping I don't get washed or blown away ! Thanks for the inspiration....
Trans cambrian way is a winner Juliett - personally i would do it on MTB but sure ive seen someone do it on a gravel bike. Penine bridleway (what i did of it was also good)
Thats a really nice 'transport system' (aka bike). I also use the alpkit soloist. It's a great little tent for the money. Some say it's too small but I'm 6' 1" and it's fine for me. Obviously there are more spacious tents but for my minimalist needs it's perfect.
Try the North Coast 500 the route and scenery is awesome but beware it's also very tough. BTW,,, don't come back via the A9 coast road it's far too busy, back track from Thurso and head south through the central wilderness via Altnaharra.
Love the Tevas. Have had a pair since 2004. They have been skydiving, base jumping and diving in the Red Sea to mention a few things and are still going strong. Love your set up for cycling and camping, may try it myself. Thank you.
Hey Juliet, may I suggest the Woho saddlebag stabilizer: not only it prevents the saddlebag to sway, but in the present case it will allow you to add two bottle cages back there, rather than scratching that beauty of a fork with alt cages. Cheers
I have this and it's brilliant! One side did just bend in, weirdly, so they can have defects in them. I wish more companies would make a version because they're damn good
FYI there is always water at churches. And also a place to sleep if you are stuck. A church won’t chase you away, or shouldn’t anyway. Water filtration kit and you won’t be stuck for water maybe, any tips on these systems?
I usually hate kit reviews and lists of what you should take and ignore them. I think this is the first one I have ever watched all the way through! Thanks to your rapid-fire delivery it was fun. I need a new tent to replace my worn out Terra Nova. 1997? I replayed the tent bit several times and then stopped the video and googled because I had never heard of 'Outkit'. I found it anyway. Is it the Soloist model with a three point alloy pole system? I always pack a hip flask. My ex was disgusted that there were four in the glass fronted cabinet in my kitchen and there are still four. I am drinking whisky now, had one yesterday and will probably have another one before I go to bed tomorrow as well. I slept very badly in the B&B on my business trip last week and one of my flasks should have gone in my overnight bag! I just sold a bike and next door's cat insisted on inspecting the goods and being photographed as well. I have never had so many views on anything I have tried to sell and it went for the asking price to the first viewer. Is your meow recorded from one of your cats?
Always interesting to see what other people take, & sometimes incorporate into your own. I also always evaluate what I took & used & what I took & never used.
Hi Juliet fellow @alpkit groupie. I’ve just ridden length of Ireland Miz2Mal about 800km if you make it scenic and clip the coast and take in some of the wild Atlantic way. Good mix of road and gravel.
@@JulietElliottsChannel broke my femur in Jan, physio told me I wouldn’t ride again this year. Hold my pint!! Don’t underestimate the time/travel to get to/from southerly point I’m just outside of Belfast and it took me 3 trains a bus and a 50km bike ride to get to start in southerly point. Happy to help if you need more info, my route is on Strava and Komoot
I had started to ponder about maybe a night away, in bothy or camping via bike. I think rationally that it would be unwise, but I love the idea. I’d have to work out how to make it safe for me, which is no easy feat!
Great video. Thanks a lot. I can recommend you some feed bags to store some extra water / snacks. 2 bottles of water is too little indeed. You can get feed bags fairly cheap from Decathlon (6€) or anywhere else a little bit more expensive. They hide away aero behind the handlebar bag and are super useful.
@@lindatisue733 they evolved from chalk bags for mountaineering. Decathlon calls them "FABRIC HANDLEBAR BOTTLE CAGE" and some manufacturers call them stem bags. Hope I could help
Every cycle touring video seems to call it a sleep system, I guess with the high price of ultra light sleeping bags and mats, it makes it sound more technical and worth the money. I had planned to cycle the Rhine in Germany but don’t think currently that’s such a good ideas, so I’m off to cycle tour the Isle of White for a few days, I did it last year, first time cycle touring and loved it. I’ll stick with panniers though as I’m just not minimalist enough.
Why you don't think that riding along the Rhein is a good Idea? I will start my bikepacking tour on sunday from cologne to Koblenz and i hope that is a good Idea...
Ok so that’s weird. I watched this video about 30 mins ago and also literally just finished watching a path less pedalled and you both said “sleep system”. Never heard it before and now twice in one day. Love the vids. Stay safe.
Great video Juliet! The Great North Trail looks like a lot of fun to ride :) Starts close to Nottingham and ends all the way up in the north of Scottland
Dear sir: I am about to take off on an bikepacking trip tonight. I will be in the dirt tonight in a tent. In the AM, I plan to summit blue mountain in Grand Terrace. You can literally google blue mountain in grand terrace california and see the summit I plan to do in the morning. I will be base camping tonight, and leave my pack at base. Cheers. I am going to have soooo much fun! I don't bring stoves. I soak my food and eat my food. : ) cheers.
it would've been amazing if you ever plan to Bikepacking around the world, I wanna start my journey but don't have the necessary packs and enough courage to start it out but I most definitely do it sometimes in my life and I'm looking forward to go from my home city to another city in Iran and after that maybe cross the country to another country, like Turkey or Armenia.
What about a towel? If i do the Camino de Santiago ... its a must. I use one of those silk inner sleeping bags too when its hot... just pick any cheap hostel and you don't need the camping gear LOL
I would recommend packing all liquids in individual zip-lock bags. Oils, sauces, soap, gels, creams, etc. I've been touring for 10 years and I've learned that anything that can leak will leak. Vibration will open lids, impact pops tubes and gel pouches, and so on. It's just a matter of time. And oily stuff is especially nasty and hard to get out of the fabric.
For douche gel, shampoo, deo and toothpaste, there are solid versions in various shops (bio shops or lush). No leeking possible. Just the best if those items are a needed on the trip :)
or shell out for Nalgene
@@xeniahaberditz5472 you can buy little plastic wallets containing soap leaves - thin wafers of pure solid soap.
Oh yeah!
I am genuinely amazed at how much stuff you managed to fit on your bike.
Oh see, this is how you do it. We literally put 60-70L hiking back packs on, filled with our gear and took off. We were obviously top heavy so had to take it slow and steady. I'll have to look into these frame packs if I do more bike packing.
I'm just starting out bike packing, this was the best info delivered quickly and to the point. Thank you so much for sharing.
My pleasure. Have fun!
Great content! Lots of tips for my upcoming bikepacking trip on the entire east coast of Florida. At 67 you're never too old. Keep the videos coming!!
Thank you for the inspiration, I'm in my 50s and was feeling pretty apprehensive. Thanks again!
Love how your good luck system integrates with your morning coffee system. Brilliant design and engineering!
Good list.
I use a Vango F10 Helium tent because it pitches outer first, which is a must when it's wet. I store it in the handlebar bag because I don't find that the easiest to access during the day. I also always pack a footprint tarp which in total brings its trail weight to 1kg. When packing a wet tent, I always pack the inner and outer separately in the handlebar bag, divided by the footprint, so that the inner stays dry.
I use a Klymit half-skeleton sleeping mat (120g), and my sleeping bag is a Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer down bag which is light and warm: weighs 500 grams, packs down to nothing and I always pair it to a silk liner for extra warmth and cleanliness. if I need more warmth I wear my spare clean (or at least dry) cycling gear. For pillow I just use my clothes in a carrier bag.
I prefer a full frame pack, and instead of bottles I use a Camelbak backpack: yes it's on my back but no, I don't feel the weight, and it easily carries 2.5L water yet keeps the bike agile on bumpy technical ground. I did have water bottles on the frame but I find they make the bike unnecessarily heavy and don't really make much difference in terms of comfort, plus take away room from my frame pack: I'd rather have stuff in the middle of the bike.
Also if I decide to go for a lightweight bike packing adventure that requires me to shoulder the bike, I prefer no frame pack and no water bottles in the way either.
Tent sounds nice but Vango quote 1.01kg trail weight which is presumably without the footprint. Good weight for a 2 skin tent anyway. If I had the money and was using it regularly I'd be tempted. I have a cheap(ish) Geertop one which is about the same weight but single skin apart from the mesh side and outer porch.
I won't use down, cant imagine it's nice for the geese. I have a 220g synthetic bag that just comes up to the waist, squashes to fist size. It's made for mountain marathon runners. plus light insulated jacket I'd take anyway.
"This is a map of Dartmoor, I just went to Cornwall" LOL
My videos are much worse :D
this made me chuckle to :D
"I would advice, however, that you take a map for the area that you are going to..." 😂😂😂
Second lockdown summer, second tour of Belgium here. Last year I made all the mistakes you make on a first trip; way too much weight carried around, too much food = more weight, slept over at friends whilst I wanted to eat, sleep and prepare the next day etc etc. This year the mistakes were not having bike serviced before the trip, and of course forgetting the spare tubes at home which resulted in a nervous breakdown in the middle of a forest. Next year will be flawless :-) Anyway, your videos are the proof for me you can do it with much less stuff ! Keep it up, and safe travels !!
Dartmoor - Cornwall - lol :) Back in the day they used to have things called map reading competitions with the OS map handily attached to the front stem by a neat spring loaded clamp.. the good old days lol.
Hello once again from ARGENTINA ... my recomendation: 4 water bottles and another larger for cooking.
Bar Bag: (Off the bike stuff): Tents and Sleeping Materiales, inflatable pillow, sleeping bag, t-shirts, bear socks.
Top Tube Bag: A buff, energy bars and peaces of food, power banks, batteries, GoPro Hero, cables.
Frame Bag: Meal you can eat without water, head torch, waterproof jacket, lightweight down puffy jacket, porridge arms warmers, porridge legs warmers, speedo, random food, tools, patches & glue, two tubes, mini pump, usb & usb-c cables, charging devices cables.
Seat Pack: The whole Cooking System, (stove kit, gas, MSR micro rocket); because you know you must keep food out and far of the tent; rice, pasta, more t-shirts & bear socks, lightweight trousers, a pair of sandals attached out of the Seat Pack.
Here's my tip. 700ml titanium mug (fairly cheap one) doubles as cooking pot with Soto stove inside. Comes in a mesh bag you can squeeze a small gas cylinder in. Whole thing is still small enough to go in the front bag diametrically (is that a word?) with tent and 2 days food.
Did you invent the Tardis? I could swear there's some kind of magic going on here, how much stuff comes out of a little bag. A tent and a set of pots and pans from a seat bag!
I thought wiskey would be the "sleep system".
pretty sure a pound of whiskey will let you do three shots for five days, thats lighter than most pads.
Great to see you are obviously really enjoying the whole thing. In the UK the Southdown way, although not very long, is gourgous & a classic.
2:45 ...in France, we call this "earplugs" boules Quies, reference to the old brand Quies. Quies means "calm", "tranquility" in Latin. The name will be taken over by a Parisian pharmacist who, in 1918, manufactured hearing protection for the first time at the request of a client who complained of noise pollution, whose husband joined in 1921 with the pharmacist to create the brand .
The first hearing protections were based on a mixture of wax and cotton, and this type of earplug still exists today, although the range of hearing protection has expanded.
Interesting overview. I think Quies are still the best earplugs!
This video is perfect timing!!! I'm going on my first bike packing trip next month and I'm so full of questions of what do other people take and how do they pack it. Thanks so much for sharing!!💕
I like the sound of "sleep system". Makes me want to throw money at upgrading it
I just came back from 2 nights on a section of the Highland 550. Some serious hike-a-bike segments but absolutely worth it. Out of this world scenery. The North Coast 500 is also on my list of must dos.
ear plugs are a must! Glad I'm not the only one
I just got a Cranktank from adventurehydration in Australia, really excited about it. 4l of water in the frame triangle!
just looked at it and it's cool, but not sure why you'd want to do that, considering you can get 1 or 2L bladders, which are much more pliable and can be stuffed after use
@@cwr8618 the flexible bladders are floppy and unruly. The rigid tank seems to be easier to drink from for the entirety of its content, as it doesn't pinch and stop supplying water, etc. Also it is lower down than you can usually fit a soft bladder, keeping the weight low.
@@feltusfeicit yea tru. good points. maybe i'll just tow a 55 gallong drum behind me on long rides!!
Another recommendation I’ve read is to always bring a spare rear derailleur hanger (the thing that connects the derailleur to the frame). Cos if that goes, it’s trip over. It needs to be the right hanger for your particular frame. (And finding a local bike shop out on your trip that stores the exact hanger you need is probably a long shot)
It's not ideal, but if a rear derailleur or hanger goes you just remove it and shorten the chain to work in a single gear. I find something like 60 to 70 gear inches is a good compromise. Then you ride asap to the nearest bike shop. If they don't have the hanger they can order it or you could order it and have it shipped to your motel and install it yourself.
Nice job!!
Thanks for mentioning the tent!
Cracking video - can’t believe how much stuff you fitted in!
Great post! For the rear bag I use a rack with a drybag strapped to it. That way I can use different size drybags according to the trip. I have a 10L, 20L, or a 30L. Of course I can also strap other things on as well if I need or want. I have a handlebar bag similar to yours, plus some other minor differences. I use a hammock and tarp, being in Thailand, but I can also sleep on the ground if necessary. My stuff aside from bike and water weighs about 10-12 kg. Happy Cycling!
I sympathise with you and the wet tent. I guess a Basha just needs shaking off from the dew, Every tent I have ever owned had me stay on site until the sun dried it off.
You're correct about the Fold-a-cup. It's a Swedish invention, originally designed and made for the Swedish military(*) in the eighties, but they soon realised that basically everybody else going outdoors could make good use of them.
I don't know how many I have of them, but it's quite a few since I have a couple of different kits ready or almost ready to go for different activities like e.g. kayaking and ice skating.
(*) That's why you could only get them in the original greyish green colour in the beginning.
I love the friendly cat sat on your bench watching you!
Bikepacking set ups often go a bit "bag crazy" with four or more bags all over the bike. I find a Carradice Camper and an Ortlieb Classic bar bag or a front bag roll work very well and they make the practicalities of traveling with your bike on planes and trains very simple as with two bags you have just hand luggage. I've never seen the need for top tube bags as I keep snacks in my back pockets.
Superb. Very organised. Great video. Thank you
Thank you for the ideas. Planning my first trip - the Taff Trail Cardiff to Brecon and back with an overnight stay in Brecon so really helpful tips!
That's a lovely ride, Mike. A slight gradient uphill on day one giving you gravity credits for day two. I live on the Taff Trail near Merthyr so ride the route regularly. And I always plan my routes like that. Head north, burn myself out, knowing the way back is going to be easier.
I like your setup and have used a similar setup before. It worked fine, but i have tweaked it a bit in order to store more equipment in a larger frame bag, and I also invested in the same brand as you. My frame bag is now a larger model that takes up all the room in my frame, but it allows for more stuff beeing stored in the middle of my bike, making the weight distribution more balanced. I compencate the loss of a water bottle in my frame by using a water bottle pouch strapped to my handlebars. I also use the water bottle on my the bottom of my down tube as a refill for the bottle on my handlebars that is more accessible and not so gunked with dirt all the time. Thanks for the great content. I will certainly try to fint the same tent as you have, as mine is heavier, more bulky and not as quick to pitch.
I have just bought the Alpkit Soloist tent and the inflatable pillow from Alpkit, for a camping trip in October. Can’t wait to try them out. I’m also thinking about purchasing a new bike for some long distance bike packing trips, they look like a lot of fun.
I hope to some day be able to bikepack on my Mtn bike. I use to do bike tours on weekends when I was in High School and watching all these self contained bike trips is making me want get out again for overnighters
i only ride a few hours and just within our city. i might try this bikepacking someday and bike until the next city. thanks for the advice :)
This has been the most encouraging video I have seen to what I want to do, as soon as the corona chills out I want to ride around South Korea. but I had no idea how I would carry all my stuff or how much I would need. I'm thinking of selling my car buying a folding bike for overseas travel knowing that I can compact all this stuff onto it is fantastic! Great video might have to watch it a few times to fully understand all the individual bags, ( and I probably need to learn how to ride a bike again)
Nice video, awesome bike and equipment. I really like that you are using metric units!
That's a nice system you got there!
Awesome video! 😀👍 Re:water issue, grab a sawyer mini water filter and you can drink from streams etc safely. There's a thingy that comes with it so you can filter water into bottles for later too 👍
You can get a sleep system with a bivy sack and two levels of sleeping bag. The bivy sack would allow you to not have a tent. It's a Gore-Tex style mummy sack. It's okay in colder weather but in the summer it gets pretty hot.
Even a lightweight bivvy is around 5-750g the Alpkit soloist is just over 1Kg. Sleep in a bivvy you get condensation and wet sleeping bag. Ok for a 1 night but anything more the comfort of the tent outweighs the small weight saving.
ayyy First!! Just got back from a 3 day bikepacking trip in Cornwall too and I definitely need to lighten up my setup hahah
Fantastic tips for bikepacking, thank you! I have made a note of several of your items as it never crossed my mind to take them!
Glad it was helpful!
A few years back, I rode an old Trek mountain bike across the Cascade Mountains, Washington, U.S.A. and back (1 week trip). Most important item? My old stainless steel Bellman stovetop espresso maker. I'm sure it weighs more than your carbonframe but making a mocha up in the mountains is a great way to start the day. And the thing steams better than my countertop espresso maker:)) Next time I will bring some bear mace though after getting on my bike and having a black bear come out to check out where I had just had my tent set up.
How on earth does the cooking system and everything fit in that seat bag? Amazing. Where do you Pack your food?
For the water situation i am doing well with a Blackburn cage and a Hydrapak Seeker (2l, but larger ones could also fit)
lol very important, "whisky" too right! for those cold nights... or any night for that matter! Really useful video, thanks. Got some great ideas now.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Juliet great video thanks, got some useful tips. I'm doing my first bike packing wild camping trip and thought i would make it an easy one, so 10 days solo doing about 300 miles on the Outer Hebridise and Skye. Just hoping I don't get washed or blown away ! Thanks for the inspiration....
Trans cambrian way is a winner Juliett - personally i would do it on MTB but sure ive seen someone do it on a gravel bike. Penine bridleway (what i did of it was also good)
Best advice given by Juliet @4:44
I love your videos. Thanks so much
Thats a really nice 'transport system' (aka bike). I also use the alpkit soloist. It's a great little tent for the money. Some say it's too small but I'm 6' 1" and it's fine for me. Obviously there are more spacious tents but for my minimalist needs it's perfect.
Try the North Coast 500 the route and scenery is awesome but beware it's also very tough. BTW,,, don't come back via the A9 coast road it's far too busy, back track from Thurso and head south through the central wilderness via Altnaharra.
Love the Tevas. Have had a pair since 2004. They have been skydiving, base jumping and diving in the Red Sea to mention a few things and are still going strong. Love your set up for cycling and camping, may try it myself. Thank you.
Came for the tips on what to bring on my first bikepacking trip, stayed for the cute cat.
nice video thanks for the info on packing my bike.
Solved the water issue with a water filter. Where I tour the water is almost clean enough to drink with out filtering.
Great tips and advice. Thanks very much 👍. Fantastic looking bike also. BTW 😀
You’re very welcome, cheers
Hey Juliet, may I suggest the Woho saddlebag stabilizer: not only it prevents the saddlebag to sway, but in the present case it will allow you to add two bottle cages back there, rather than scratching that beauty of a fork with alt cages. Cheers
I have this and it's brilliant! One side did just bend in, weirdly, so they can have defects in them. I wish more companies would make a version because they're damn good
FYI there is always water at churches. And also a place to sleep if you are stuck. A church won’t chase you away, or shouldn’t anyway.
Water filtration kit and you won’t be stuck for water maybe, any tips on these systems?
I usually hate kit reviews and lists of what you should take and ignore them. I think this is the first one I have ever watched all the way through! Thanks to your rapid-fire delivery it was fun.
I need a new tent to replace my worn out Terra Nova. 1997? I replayed the tent bit several times and then stopped the video and googled because I had never heard of 'Outkit'. I found it anyway. Is it the Soloist model with a three point alloy pole system?
I always pack a hip flask. My ex was disgusted that there were four in the glass fronted cabinet in my kitchen and there are still four. I am drinking whisky now, had one yesterday and will probably have another one before I go to bed tomorrow as well. I slept very badly in the B&B on my business trip last week and one of my flasks should have gone in my overnight bag!
I just sold a bike and next door's cat insisted on inspecting the goods and being photographed as well. I have never had so many views on anything I have tried to sell and it went for the asking price to the first viewer. Is your meow recorded from one of your cats?
How do you secure your bike when sleeping?
Man,nigth and dark . No fear
Mayby in the tent... Dont know, my first question to
Stylish, informative and always fun; cheers to you Juliet, master of bike packing! 😃🌍
im newbie for bikepacking thanks for sharing
That was great presentation of things tobe needed on bikepacking...thanks a lot madam
Always interesting to see what other people take, & sometimes incorporate into your own. I also always evaluate what I took & used & what I took & never used.
Morning! 💖😋 thank you for video Juliet makes me want to go bike packing 👍
Hi Juliet fellow @alpkit groupie. I’ve just ridden length of Ireland Miz2Mal about 800km if you make it scenic and clip the coast and take in some of the wild Atlantic way. Good mix of road and gravel.
Sounds great, I’ve been looking at doing something similar
@@JulietElliottsChannel broke my femur in Jan, physio told me I wouldn’t ride again this year. Hold my pint!!
Don’t underestimate the time/travel to get to/from southerly point I’m just outside of Belfast and it took me 3 trains a bus and a 50km bike ride to get to start in southerly point.
Happy to help if you need more info, my route is on Strava and Komoot
Great vid Juliet 👍 ...nothing wrong with a real map
I had started to ponder about maybe a night away, in bothy or camping via bike. I think rationally that it would be unwise, but I love the idea. I’d have to work out how to make it safe for me, which is no easy feat!
Love ya Julia love your videos ! Keep them coming! Love that smile!
Thank you
Great video. Thanks a lot. I can recommend you some feed bags to store some extra water / snacks. 2 bottles of water is too little indeed. You can get feed bags fairly cheap from Decathlon (6€) or anywhere else a little bit more expensive.
They hide away aero behind the handlebar bag and are super useful.
Feed bag? Like what a horse is fed with ? Love to know what you mean, always looking for more storage.
@@lindatisue733 they evolved from chalk bags for mountaineering.
Decathlon calls them "FABRIC HANDLEBAR BOTTLE CAGE" and some manufacturers call them stem bags. Hope I could help
Alpkit sells stem bags, really handy for taking bottles and having them at hand.
Awesome video. So useful for people looking to get into bike packing.... Subscribed.
Every cycle touring video seems to call it a sleep system, I guess with the high price of ultra light sleeping bags and mats, it makes it sound more technical and worth the money. I had planned to cycle the Rhine in Germany but don’t think currently that’s such a good ideas, so I’m off to cycle tour the Isle of White for a few days, I did it last year, first time cycle touring and loved it. I’ll stick with panniers though as I’m just not minimalist enough.
Why you don't think that riding along the Rhein is a good Idea?
I will start my bikepacking tour on sunday from cologne to Koblenz and i hope that is a good Idea...
Hi Juliet, just found your channel and your upbeat personality and content is brilliant and love your vids 👌🚴
Thank you!
Thanks for run down of your bike packing equipment. Cheers👍
Great video Juliet !
Thank you
@@JulietElliottsChannel very useful , please keep it up !
Ok so that’s weird. I watched this video about 30 mins ago and also literally just finished watching a path less pedalled and you both said “sleep system”. Never heard it before and now twice in one day. Love the vids. Stay safe.
that's very strange!
Very common term among backpackers...
LOL cats "Look at me! Ok let me go." I'm considering a bike packing setup. I hope I can make it work! Thanks!
Thanks for the inspiration, i am planing a little tour with similar bags size (got some cheap ones).
I loved the video but I loved your cats even more! ❤️
Really informative, thank you! Awesome bike too!
Great video, well made and you're very entertaining to listen to! Full of energy and joy :-)
Nice set up !!
Thanks Juliet first time seeing your video and it’s really useful. I need to get out myself.
Great 👍 tips and thanks, love from Australia 🇦🇺🚴♂️🌏
North 500 up in Scotland, nothing can beat that. 😁
Good stuff! Nice cat cameo appearances too...hoping there’s a bike packing vlog coming soon.
Thanks for sharing ur bike packing system 😄
Anchovies! Brilliant.
Great video Juliet! The Great North Trail looks like a lot of fun to ride :) Starts close to Nottingham and ends all the way up in the north of Scottland
Water shoes r really good for walking about at camp
Great video - can't believe you don't have the obligatory titanium or ceramic mug for dangling!
brilliant video thank you for sharing.
Thank you
Dear sir: I am about to take off on an bikepacking trip tonight. I will be in the dirt tonight in a tent. In the AM, I plan to summit blue mountain in Grand Terrace. You can literally google blue mountain in grand terrace california and see the summit I plan to do in the morning. I will be base camping tonight, and leave my pack at base. Cheers. I am going to have soooo much fun! I don't bring stoves. I soak my food and eat my food. : ) cheers.
it would've been amazing if you ever plan to Bikepacking around the world, I wanna start my journey but don't have the necessary packs and enough courage to start it out but I most definitely do it sometimes in my life and I'm looking forward to go from my home city to another city in Iran and after that maybe cross the country to another country, like Turkey or Armenia.
Oh my god I just found your channel and I love it! Such easy simple info and your vibe has made me subscribe =]
Same here!
Even me!!
Me too. even though the video is old, it is great. Thanks
Oh man here we go...finding guides on bikepacking then hopefully bikepacking soon :)
Hey what about a bike packing trip around snowdonia would be cool.
Whiskey Flask nice :) i take a old hip Flask . Great road bike .Areo Dynam Fork bottles would be good.
What about a towel? If i do the Camino de Santiago ... its a must. I use one of those silk inner sleeping bags too when its hot... just pick any cheap hostel and you don't need the camping gear LOL