Hi,

I have a coworker who insists bikepacking is touring.  I just do not think he gets it - or maybe it's just me.   Please help 


From: Douglas
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 9:09 AM
To: Heather
Subject: RE: bikepacking == touring

Hitchhiking could be considered a form of hiking, since when there are no rides, some hitchhikers actually walk down the road with a backpack on their backs.

From: Heather
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 9:00 AM
To: Douglas
Subject: RE: bikepacking == touring
And like hiking is hitchhiking.


From: Douglas
To: Heather
Subject: RE: bikepacking == touring

They may not use the word ‘mountain’ but they do talk about bikes with 26” wheels.   And the use of a mountain bike is not precluded from touring.  The basic ingredients of a tour are packing gear and riding to some place and staying overnight.

Don’t forget…the top link on google for bikepacking refers to it as “anything from ultralight singletrack tours to fully loaded dirt road touring”.

If you have a problem with that…take it up with bikepacking.net…

Tour tour tour tour tour tour tour tour tour


From: Heather
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 8:41 AM
To: Douglas
Subject: RE: bikepacking == touring

Also, nowhere on the first page do I see the word “mountain,” combined with bike.

Also, where I do see the word “mountain” on your second link, the topic begins with “There are numerous variants on the traditional road tour…”  Please note they are talking about “road tour.”  Also, “The key difference between a mountain bike and an expedition touring bike would be the addition of racks for panniers, and tougher, all-purpose tires.”  They are not referencing mountain bikes.

On the second page, “Mixed Terrain Cycle-Touring bikes are a cross between mountain and road bikes.” (not mountain bikes proper)

With a quick skim of those two, I can see they are not describing mountain bikepacking.  Here is mountain biking/cross country mountain biking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_cycling.  Now throw some packs and a large camelback on for the trip.  Here are the packs we bought: http://www.revelatedesigns.com/

From: Douglas
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 8:26 AM
To: Heather
Subject: RE: bikepacking == touring

Touring consists of biking with gear and staying somewhere overnight.  However you do it, whether it is riding around the block, as you say, or riding up a big hill on a dirt path…it’s touring.  Bikepacking sounds like a shorter version of “expedition touring” where cyclists travel over many varied trails and dirt roads in undeveloped countries or remote areas and carry everything they need.

You seem to have a view of the term ‘touring’ as a lightweight easy type of bike riding.  You might want to check out touring a bit more because it is quite varied in the types. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_touring

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touring_bicycle


They use “tours” because it is the only term similar enough to give people even a partial clue as to what they would be getting into.  Not your ride around the block.  It’s “bikepacking,” like backpacking on a bike.  I am guessing most bike touring does not involve a backpack, rather panniers.  They certainly did not do it justice…

From: Douglas
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 7:50 AM
To: Heather
Subject: bikepacking == touring

The first link when googling ‘bikepacking’ is bikepacking.net. 

They describe it as “anything from ultralight singletrack tours to fully loaded dirt road touring” .  Bikepacking.net focuses on ‘off-road touring, away from cars’


Bikepacking == off-road touring!!

Ha!!!  So much for spell check working on that word, huh?   

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So, I waited too long and couldn't get into my PayPal account, but I contacted the seller to let him know.  We did a private sale, so we negotiated price and I paid through PayPal.   Expected delivery is Wednesday.  He seemed legit, so we took the risk thanks to PayPal and credit card guarantees.

It's a hardtail.  I have the larger bag.  I had the shop where I tried the bike yesterday measure the seat height based on my current bike.  It's 8 inches above, so it would be close.  Thanks all for your help!

Anyone else, feel free to post advice.  Thanks!

Hi,

 Will a relevate seat bag fit small specialized stumphumper carbon 29er?  I am looking to purchase this bike within the next couple hours on ebay, so I know I have to be really lucky to find someone who knows.

Thanks.

I will have to take a look at that Cloudwalker Camelbak.  Thanks!

I have seen the Osprey Manta 30 and probably will go with that pack, but wanted to see if anyone has suggestions.  I prefer to have a pack with a similar hard frame stay to keep the pack off my back.  Obviously, I need a fairly good-sized option because no room for a bike frame pack.  Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks!