I have been backpacking for quite a few years and have also been mountain-biking for quite sometime but this will be my first year of bikepacking. Several people who regularly participate in this forum have been most helpful in offering advice and answering my questions and I thank one and all for that.
This was my third and final trial run to check out everything. After a few tweaks here and there and another strap or two added, nothing shakes, rattles or comes loose on the roughest of trails. Today I rode an extremely technical trail with lots of roots and rocks and intentionally hammered it in an attempt to shake something loose. Nothing budged.
There was one surprise. I figured the additional weight would slow me down considerably but I averaged about the same as I usually do on those trails. Due to the additional weight out back I have to move further forward on the saddle on extremely steep climbs in order to keep the front wheel on the ground. When riding drop-offs and extremely steep descents, the rear bag won’t allow me to get as low behind the saddle as I usually do but the weight of the bag seems to make up the difference. The bike does not feel as top-heavy as I figured it would. One of the things I like about this bike is it corners like it has a mind of its own but with the added weight I have to ride it a bit more aggressively in turns. That makes it feel more like a 29er than a 26er.
Everything is in the two bags except food (I intend to go dehydrated all the way), camera, water filter and a few light odds and ends which will go in a daypack with hydration bladder.
Our first bikepacking adventure will be on three consecutive passages of the Palmetto Trail in South Carolina. We will start at the north end of the Lake Moultrie passage, ride through it, then the Swamp Fox and Awendaw passages, ending at the Buck Hall Recreation Area on the Intercoastal Waterway near McCleallanville, SC. We are shooting for mid to late April before it becomes so hot and the mosquitoes grow to the size of turkey gobblers. Total mileage is 74 miles.
Thanks again everyone for your help in getting me started down the trail.
