Ireland overnight

[Jesse]

Hi all.
This trip was not exactly what I see posted here most of the
time, but it at least was an overnight camping trip with a
backpack. Suppose that counts for something. Anyhow.
Last weekend I rode from where I live in Cork to Fermoy
to camp out Sat. night, then rode home Sunday morning.
Here are some pictures. Enjoy.

Daffodils by the side of the road.


The road through Tullig. Sorta like hard-packed, rocky double track.


Lunch stop in Glenagear Wood.


The steed, a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro, fixed and not exactly
designed for rough stuff and carrying weight.


The town name Fermoy, in Irish.


Old friary in Castleyons, on the way back.



Pack. I have got to find a way to carry less weight.

[John G]

Hi all.
This trip was not exactly what I see posted here most of the
time, but it at least was an overnight camping trip with a
backpack. Suppose that counts for something.

Looks great to me!  Thanks for posting.

[ScottM]

Indeed, thanks for the great post.  Love to see some rides from 'across the pond.'  Any thoughts on the gear you carried?  Changes for next time, that kind of thing?

[Jesse]

Any thoughts on the gear you carried?  Changes for next time, that kind of thing?

Thanks for the thoughts.

Hmm, gear. I think the list looked something like: tent,
tarp, sleeping bag + liner, sleeping pad, change of clothes,
running shoes, rain shell, 1st aid kit, mini pump, camera, pack
towel, head lamp, book, clock, food, water. Multitool
and flat tire fixin's in the saddlebag on the bike. Next
time: no sleeping bag liner, no clock, bladder from camelback
instead of bottles. Also, never carry the tent in the little
bag it come inside; pack the poles, fly, and main tent all
separately. Sounds obvious once you say it, but not
something I realized when I packed. Might be able to leave
the tarp behind too, haven't decided. I'd love a smaller,
lighter tent (mine is a 2 person thing, weighs 5.5-6 pounds),
think I have to get that online tho.  The sleeping pad isn't
heavy, just bulky. Anyone have opinions on inflatable vs.
closed-cell egg-crate type pads?

[ScottM]

I've converted to inflatable after too many restless nights on foam pads.  The lack of bulk is a bonus, too.

[sherpaxc]

Only if you had trees to hang from, you would be sleeping a lot more!

[sean salach]

i find closed cell more comfortable, but as mentioned, they are bulky. for your location i would imagine inflatable would be great. i drove around the island a few years ago, camping many nights and with a bike, but it wasn't bikepacking... i'd love to do some kind of on and offroad bikepacking trip up or down the west side. you could probably get a rack on the front of that bike, a seatpost rack or seatbag, some kind of frame bag, and switch to mtb style bars to which you could strap your sleeping bag/pad. would take alot of that weight off your back.