New Category & Activity

As I age and the miles accumulate from 45 years of mid distance running (half marathons) and 1000+ mile / year hiking for the last 5+ years, moderation and diversity of activities are necessary … to keep my knees, feet and lower back happy – and to continue on!

With great support and encouragement from a dear friend of mine (a bike-geek for sure), I now have a gravel bike and gear to mix in bikepacking with hiking and backpacking.

The blog will add a category: Bikepacking

For bikepacking, I will continue leaning toward ultralite gear, re-using the following sub-kits from backpacking gear kit: shelter, sleep, kitchen, stay warm & dry. The only ‘new’ gear required was:

• Gravel Bike – Salsa Journeyer 2.1 GRX 600 57
• Bags, panniers, etc
  • Front: REI Link Handlebar bag
  • Handlebar bags: Revelate Mountain Feedback (2)
  • Top Tube post: Revelate Gas Tank Top Tube
  • Top Tube frame: Relevate Tangle Frame
  • Back: Old Timbuktu panniers
• Helmet – Giro Synthe Mips II
• Tools and spares – too many to list
• Bike shorts – Canari G2 and Primal
• Bright windshell – Enlightened Equipment Copperfield in orange (hiking = dark blue)
• Gloves – Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Gloves
• Platform shoes (no clips for me) – Giro Jacket II Mountain Bike shoes (untried yet)

Here’s the Salsa ready to go with all gear.

Our first shake-out is coming up … a 1 night, 2 day ride not far away with backup gear easily available. After the shake-out, the gear kit will get explored and photographed.

Current set up for shake-out

• Strapped on top in back: Kitchen, tent poles & stakes, and ‘warmer’ riding clothes
• Right pannier: sleeping bag and tent
• Left pannier: Jacket, sleeping clothes, extra clothes and air mattress / pillow
• Top Tube down: Tools, extra parts (tube and pedal) & first aid kit
• Top Tube up: Emergency kit
• Front Pack: Food and Rain gear; windshield in outside pocket

Cameral will go in larger waist pack (not shown yet).