I have friends in PA & am planning on driving south to the blue ridge sometime as soon as school lets out, likely late june...I'm new to bikepacking & I wouldn't want to botch your gig, but if it stars aligned & I could hop on the train then that would be total radness! should I feel encouraged to stay informed? thanks.

leslie here. been haphazardly riding bikes since I could walk, but never took it beyond commuting to summer jobs really, although I did endure a few phases of riding off some heartbreak   a self-described dabbler....my Gemini personality tends to ebb & flow in my choice activities, but one truth remains: middle age governs a characteristic respect for the being, particularly that of the body, so my thinking is that trading feet for tires may be the best decision yet. like most, I have high hopes & big dreams, & am challenged by the mystery of the unknown. in with the new, ... enlighten me, please!

shooting blanks here, but...chacos or the heavy duty version crocs?

"breathe"? it is my understanding that several models/ makes of UL tents require precise set-up, or they collect a significant amount of moisture from mere breathing! personally I cannot speak to this; perhaps others can? silly question... I use my trekking poles for my tent when I am backpacking...do the models you suggest utilize one's own poles (not that one would tote trekking poles on a bikepacking excursion? I would not think anyways), or are these models equipped with with factory-ready poles? thanks.

do these breathe well? I know the SMD has condensation issues. side note: any suggested newbie bikepacking trips near the long trail?

what are folks using for UL tents in the bikepacking world?
big agnes? SMD? tarptent? other?
thanks.

keep me in the loop. will these connectors be summer ready? what's there for trails in TN? I'm new to (bike) packing remember.

berghaus packs & most anything old skool patagucci

hey kids, new to this gig! done the backpacking thang, now ready to switch gears ( he he)...I've limited cycling experience. with the right instruction from a treasured disciple I think I can manage just fine! looking to target the southeast (blue ridge parkway, skyline drive, or maybe something in WV?) hard to pinpoint where exactly since I'm new to it all, for summer 2017 anyways. heaps of questions! I'm in the no'east. hit me back if you are remotely interested. thanks.