Good thoughts?

Thanks, Scott, for keeping the fire lit. And to the base of users here ? quality over quantity with no posing is always refreshing. And no one asking about TT bag options for carrying a selfie stick on their 15-mi ride. See, we can gatekeep as well as Mountain Project!

I'm still enthusiastic for bikepacking. I'll see you like-minded riders here and elsewhere.

PS: Credit where it's due: Apostrophes are no longer converted to question marks, woohoo! About those en dashes... ; )

Hi and welcome, Wayne. The quote thing is what it is. It?s pretty quiet here but good signal-to-noise ratio. Enjoy the discoveries!

Bailing wire wont satisfy the aesthetic standards of most, but it can be used to back up mount connections. I lost a mount bolt once and didnt realize it for hours. Loading up a rack with water, as you infer, can be trouble.

Check em out:

https://gprivate.com/62qzq

Fabulous! Thanks for posting, and good on you for the charity work.

PS: No access to the route link.

If you?re still researching?

I?d be looking at the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. It may not hit your destination list exactly, but there?s no singletrack on it and it?s very scenic through CO. Check out Adventure Cycling?s site. The documentation and paper maps are excellent.

(Question mark equals apostrophe or ellipsis on this web site. Take a fuking guess which is which.)

I?m looking at building up a 29? wheel set. I have a good deal on some Stans Arch Mk3 rims and wondered if anyone has any useful experience with them?  Thanks

No issues at all. The 32-spoke rim was solid while loaded and riding very rough trails with various tire options. I wouldn't hesitate to use that set again.

I use whatever small backpack is part of my kit. If I?m planning for, generally, no pack I bring a minimalist ?pack? like a REI Flash or similar. Essentially a stuff sack with straps, which obviously has uses beyond hanging food.

It looks well worth the effort! Fantastic ride and report, M. Keep setting the bar high.

^^ Cheap drybag or stuff sack works. Sewing something up yourself? An old hardtail probably has generous triangle space for a frame bag.

Gear specifically for bikepacking probably won't be cheap. A hundred for a front roll but no need to F around, lasts more trips than you'll do and you can sell anytime.

A Thudbuster seat post could help if using a big backpack.

[offroute -]

offroute -
Thanks very much for the encouragement! Getting out has been really difficult for me; I've been stuck in a rather moderate anxiety loop where I've just been, essentially, too scared to go outside alone. Do you know of any popular and active resources where I can get in touch with local groups or individuals who are planning a trip? I know there's a section on this forum and there's MAYBE (?) a group on Facebook? Strangely enough, it's kinda' hard finding anyone close to where I live, in Northwestern PA.

I'm pretty hopeless for info about groups, as I prefer solo if my wife isn't available. I understand your reluctance to throw yourself out on a trip, but I agree with Bobonli that a sidearm is not a solution. I'd suggest working through your temporary reservations and not forcing a new endeavor to be the route to wellness. Just ride your bike and keep it fun.

It is awesome you are making a go of it! My condolence on your loss. Riding a bike sounds like the best thing you could be doing, whether bikepacking or just short spins.

I reco keeping an open mind and not getting super locked into any "correct" way of bikepacking. Keep riding your bike. Going from riding a lot to bikepacking takes the edge off getting into it. As you ride more and different terrain you'll develop preferences. From those preferences you can devise a short bikepacking route. Short rides and bikepacking cross-pollinate and then you're on your way. The technical details will work themselves out.

Adventure Cycling Association website and publications are a gold mine of info. Bikepacking.com has a lot of useful info. REI has had bikepacking classes. Power on...

My Old Man Mountain front rack has worked on a 135 and a Gnot Boost (145 mm) rear end. I think it could work on a 148 mm as well. The rack stays are fairly flexible.

If your rack works for the tire diameter, you should be able to McGyuver some mount hardware. If it doesn't and you need a different placement of the lower mount, you could try Tubus rack mounts. I got some but didn't need to use them -- they look burly enough for most outings if not mega-loaded.

It turns to a language I don't understand and asks for a sign-up. No passing grade for you.

~700-mi OHV loop between Kingman and Yuma. First known MTB completion solo in February 2021 after a 120-mi reconnaissance. Minus the southern Hualapai Mountains ~40 mi between Yucca and Wikieup; did the alternate, wildfire prevented me from returning to ride it.

Less effort than AZT by a good margin. Rideable all winter, Hualapais are condition dependent. 3-inch tires recommended for sand washes on the west side. Resupplies are about perfect. Averaging 50 mi per day I had max two nights in between resupplies. One 90-mi stretch between Salome and Dateland, but it rides fast. Note Yucca AZ has no regular food source. Backcountry water just in two spots on the east side if you do not count the CO River, otherwise all store bought. Sharing with ATVers was a nonissue; a pleasant group.

It is a fantastic route devised with the help of lots of local knowledge; it skirts some incredible Wilderness, and road surfaces are generally MTB friendly. No singletrack. A desert lover dream nonetheless.

Solid navigation materials and info on the official site: https://arizonapeacetrail.org/

Hood size and back length are key. I took my helmet to a shop, wore it and reached forward in a riding position to see what fit best. Surprisingly, the Shower Pass (bike specific) was short on sleeves and a little boxy in the torso. After a few other misfires the Patagonia Torrentshell came up on top based on fit and details like generous pit zips. Just light showers in it so far but a solid bit of kit.

Marmot Precip has been good. I like the pants for full-zip.

Sounds like a really nice plan. I did sort of the reverse, from Grants to Silver City then to Mesa on roads, etc. No issue I can see with your bike when set up for the task.

The GDMBR section you mention is rugged and high, with clay soil that can become impassable mud during and after storms. A bike won't make any difference, just the rider's desire to finish. Polvadera Mesa and a few other spots are fairly rugged surface that might have a rider dismounting a loaded bike for short distances, but you'll be going DH northbound on the Mesa proper on the most steppy part. Maybe a few other sections like that but nothing to make you want to change plans. All types of bikes and styles get through it. I saw a 70-something guy out there going slow and having a great time.

The paved alternates are mostly still spectacular and should be quick on a bike like yours, but try not to bivy on rez land between Grants and Cuba. Go for it and have a blast.

Sold

Sold

Like taprider, I would be leery of the connection method over time if not sooner. Same on your groovy 409 panniers. Zip ties, even the ones with the metal gripper, are not very burly. A hose clamp is near overkill but at least it probably will not break. Pretty Rube Goldberg, but hey, you have PB jars on your fork.

I think holes in the plastic would survive if reinforced and not overweighted. Even a layer of tape there will help. I've used pieces of aluminum stock also to reinforce areas and disperse vibration forces from suspected failure points.