I got my hands on some of the racks from overlander and have been running them for the past week.

So far, everything seems to work really well. One big thing I noticed right away was no need to retighten and check my load continuously. I have been riding my bike on a mix of single track and gravel roads.

Weights seems good - 600 grams for the front rack ( to put into perspective my Blackburn frame bag weighs 450 grams)

If anyone has any questions or suggestions I would love to hear them  and pass on the info to overlander


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In Red Deer, Alberta Canada we had a bike packing summit at our local shop Mud Sweat and Gears to talk about planning group rides and talk about bike gear.

A local company has started up in our little city with some new ideas. Hard mount rack systems with very simple mounting. I was pretty stoked after seeing the racks and thought I would share some photos.

A front rack system design for securing a dry bag system to with adequate clearance for the fork and adequate space for those brake and shifter cables to breath, no rubbing the headtube paint off, no cables binding. Also they have two bottle mounts internally on the front rack mount.

They had two really unique fork mount systems. One designed for mounting two water bottles too and one designed for a small dry bag. It can secure to either the fork or the 3 fork boss mount.

A rear rack, one mounting point-two bolts - not complicated. You can retain your dropper post! They are coming out with a race version that will be a bit lighter then the version I have pictures of too.

I am sure they would appreciate any impressions or general ideas on the rack, going to try and get my hands on an early version to test them out and hopefully use them in for the BC epic 100 bike race.

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Anyone given this some thought​? Still looking for a partner.

Hello all,

Looking to group up with someone for the race in July (safety in numbers)

I can help accommodate someone to the race if they live in Calgary as I will be dropped off by my spouse. I could also arrange to possibly get said person back to Calgary.

Looking to put in good 200km days, though I could be convinced to do more or less haha.

I have experience from the Canadian portion of the great divide, good mechanical skills for working on bikes (though not an expert)
 
Let me know if anyone is looking for a partner or know of someone looking for a partner.



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How does everyone deal with this?

I am doing my first solo race in July and it seems that most people are saying things to make me more afraid of adventuring out. The ride is also the forest trunk road 40A along the Rockies.

They have my head filled with thoughts of brown/black bear, cougar, wolves attacking me on sight. What they are starting to say sadly I feel like is getting to me.

I dont want to to feel like I am being totally irresponsible on this trip throwing myself into the gauntlet.... But at the same time I feel like not doing something like this is essentially limiting me to a life of no adventure.

30 people entered the race last year, 15 finished and zero were ate by a animal.



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Thanks for the advice, the ride is mostly a gravel grind, with some good climbs.

I am going to look into an H-bar or something like the H-bar anyways. I like the idea of having a forward bar position.

Those surly bars look ridiculous! Reminds me of old school 4 piece BMX bars.

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Curious of what everyone's opinion is on bars, I am doing a ultra bike packing in July. I am riding a 29er hard tail and currently only have a flat bar, I have done 100km rides on flat bars before but this race is 700km.

I don't have a ton of money to spend, so in someone's opinion bar end bull horns or aero bars?

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Hey, I included some pictures for you, the main problem with this bag is the seat clip retention system slides forward when the bag is loaded thus making the bag flop down, I fixed it by sewing the retention system in place, but didn't have the best sewing machine so I had an upholstery shop rivet a plastic piece to keep it in place, works great.

It's a really solid bag when you see it in person, especially at it's price point.







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I have owned three norco's myself, a Canadian brand though they are made overseas. They are good quality bikes that usually have a better drivetrain / brakes / wheels compared to similarly ranged bikes.

I think the mid range and below for Norco is where you get your money's worth.

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Only 5 months left till this race, only 35 riders currently entered.

Very cool, are you sharing your full film by any chance? I remember seeing your original post before you went on your tour and thought you were a bit crazy. Haha

Though with the trailer I see what your vision was for the film now.

I live in Alberta, so no way I can see it. Are you going to submit your film to the Banff film festival?

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I will have to see how my schedule is but I would love to try coming along to do the Canadian portion of this tour if you'd have me along.

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Last year most of the riders that I met were from Jasper or Calgary (or had friends/family there).  They either dropped a car at the finish or had family or friends pick them up at the finish.  Not being from the area (and with time), I drove to the finish (Coleman - as the 2016 start was in Hinton), dropped my car and biked west to Sparwood, took the Tour Divide route to Banff and then the parkways to Jasper and continued on the main road to Hinton.  6 days of beautiful warm-up riding.  There was at least 1 other rider that biked to the start.  I don't believe that any of the public transportation options were convenient.  Though public transportation to Banff and then biking to Coleman (about 160-170 miles if I remember correctly) via the TD route might be a fun (and faster than biking the whole way) option.

How did you find the route overall for tree cover and camping? Anything of specific you can think of to suggest for a beginner?

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No I am not one of the organizers, just looking forward to the race. On a more individual level I could help some out in regards to getting back to there car. But I know my personal plan is to have my loving wife pick me up...haha. 

Trying to decide on things like sleeping bag, and what I can do/do without since it's a race instead of a tour.

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Well since no one else has started this thread, is anyone here planning on entering this year's race?


2017 Grand Depart July 8th 2017 7:00am

Coleman, Alberta


ABOUT

This is a fully self supported bike packing event. The route is over 80% gravel. It will be run similar to events such as the Tour Divide and other long distance self supported rides. The grand depart for 2017 will take place in Coleman Alberta and the route will end in Hinton Alberta. The route follows the first range of the Rocky Mountains with grueling climbs and epic downhills all along the route. Along the way you will pass through small towns with a history of coal mining, ride beside glacier fed creeks and see some amazing mountains all around you.

This event is fully self supported, no outside help other than what you can find or buy along the way. Services are extremely limited on this route, so you will need to pack accordingly. Water crossings are plentiful.

www.albertarockies700.com




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As a person who has compromised a few times on the colour of the bikes I've bought I would say if you're patient get the exact bike you want, in the colour you want it.

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3.5 years, but it seemed longer

Any great stories you're willing to share?

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That's so good advice, I definitely need to work on my rain gear for next season as well, on the Canadian portion of the great divide we were hit with constant hard rain for the first two days. Needless to say my rain gear didnt hold up for even an hour.



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Made it twice around the world, kinda.  Different routes, spent all my money, barely survived, died twice, wore out two bikes and millions of parts, lived 8 lives, changed religions 4 times, always met amazing people and seen the best scenery, had the best time!

Back in the states, catching up on stuff.  Already making plans for a new bike build with soo much first hand experience,  what works and what doesn't.   Fill me in on what I missed.  Just give me your version of the bikepacking cliff notes.

How long were you gone for in total?

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Recently bought these bike bags from mec, I also have a handlebar roll on the way from link bike bags. I tried the Canadian portion of the great divide during July with panniers, looking forward to trying this setup.

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