REI is jumping on the bikepacking bandwagon

[wbcmaelstrom]

Just curious, an REI employee who bikepacks might have helped develop it ;-)


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Yeah they did show a ppt... I can't talk much trash- like I said earlier, I will be going on my FIRST bikepacking trip this summer, so I'm a newb, but the class was pretty disappointing. At least they are interested in this niche.

I can see where teaching a bikepacking class can limiting. Someone who has been backpacking for years (like myself and others) already knows what is needed, what to bring, etc. Those people are looking for more info like where to stuff it all on the bike, how many miles to shoot for, etc.

Other people probably have just biked and have no idea how to pack for a weekend in the woods. So they would need a whole different level of class than the previous people.

Perhaps a good way around that is to make a general class that covers THE BASICS and then another class that is more of a transition from backpacking to bikepacking.

For me, personally, I had backpacked and had all the gear. I have also mountain biked. I've never put the two together. So, for me, my questions were what to bring. I've found out after some trips that much less gear is brought. Bikepacking gear is much more like Ultralight Backpacking plus bike specific tools/spares. Also, simple things like basic routes, aim for 5mph average (in the CO mountains) is good, best places to store everything (this is still personal preference), have a backup/wayout plan, don't be afraid to HAB, etc.

[wbcmaelstrom]

I think for beginners racks have their place. I can easily (read: no thinking) outfit someone to ride the Trans North Georgia route with a rear rack. I love frame bags and all, but they are substantially more expensive than buying a Topeak rack and using your existing dry bags. Also some people aren't as awesome at strapping "regular" bags to their bike. Lastly, when I wrote the class for REI my intention was mainly for people to get an idea that there are different options from racks to using straps to MOSTLY just trimming out excess gear from your camping quiver. Try different things--it's a puzzle. In all seriousness: what would you guys like to see in a free bikepacking class? We'd love to hear any suggestions...

Not to mention that most of the good bags for sale are handmade and most likely just can't produce the production numbers necesary to outfit a nationwide chain like REI.

[toothjockey]

My critique of the REI class is is such-
It was clear that the presenters were more experienced with road touring, and were trying their best to figure out how to relate that to bikepacking. I think almost everyone was there for mountain biking, but the talk continued to veer back to road touring. I understand there is a lot of overlap, but it gave the feeling that the class instructors did not know that much more than the students. It is also possible that I'm a pretentious ass, and everyone else may have loved it, I don't know.
I understand that REI is a retail store and has to sell product, but the vast majority of the talk was about items the store has for sale. Some of them would be useful, but some were clearly grabbed because that is what was the only thing on the floor. 
I think more time spent offering ideas of where to go, some past trips with photos, etc. would have been more interesting. The extended sales pitch dragged out too long.
The powerpoint in of itself was fine. I think it was more of the individual instructors and the amount of time spent on all of the stuff from REI that we could buy.

[wbcmaelstrom]

My critique of the REI class is is such-
It was clear that the presenters were more experienced with road touring, and were trying their best to figure out how to relate that to bikepacking. I think almost everyone was there for mountain biking, but the talk continued to veer back to road touring. I understand there is a lot of overlap, but it gave the feeling that the class instructors did not know that much more than the students. It is also possible that I'm a pretentious ass, and everyone else may have loved it, I don't know.
I understand that REI is a retail store and has to sell product, but the vast majority of the talk was about items the store has for sale. Some of them would be useful, but some were clearly grabbed because that is what was the only thing on the floor.  
I think more time spent offering ideas of where to go, some past trips with photos, etc. would have been more interesting. The extended sales pitch dragged out too long.
The powerpoint in of itself was fine. I think it was more of the individual instructors and the amount of time spent on all of the stuff from REI that we could buy.

In my opinion, bikepacking on paved surfaces is 'road touring'. Not anything new here. Bikepacking, IMO, is singletrack or on a mountain bike. If someone is on a skinny tire bike with asphault tires, they're touring. If they're on a mountain bike; they're bikepacking.

I've been to a few bikepacking classes and it seems a lot of the stuff they spend time on is things that are merely up to opinion and have been argued over the internet for years. i.e. alcohol stove vs. propane, down vs. synthetic, etc.

I think some of the classes might also just be trying to be too much for some people. Best way of learning something is to get out there and do it, so start with what's needed for a basic overnight and push that. As well as routes and trips which would be specific to the area. Going out on a multi day trip for a first timer is probably not a good idea. Especially for someone who doesn't even own a sleeping bag or stove.

[JRA]

So REI has taken it a step further - they are now a dealer for Revelate Designs.

http://www.rei.com/b/revelate-designs/c/panniers-and-on-bike-packs?ir=category%3Apanniers-and-on-bike-packs&r=category%3Acycling%7Cbike-accessories%7Cpanniers-and-on-bike-packs%3Bb

[THE LONG RANGER]

One of REI's distributor is probably QBP (which stocks Revelate)