Gear for beginner

[fifeandy]

Hi all,

With my long term goal of a 2013 TD start edging closer, I have recently started planning for making my first bike-packing trips this summer.

However, I have no gear (other than a cheap 26" hardtail and camelbak).

My question is what is the best approach regarding buying gear?
Do I take the plunge and go straight for the £200 lightweight sleeping bags and tents?
Or do I try and find budget options to start with and upgrade later?
Or is it possible to rent this type of gear?  And if so, where can I find such a service in the UK?

My main concern isn't so much spending £500 on a good sleeping system, its the potential of spending that kind of cash and then realising I don't like camping out after all and ending up with some rather expensive unused kit.

Thanks in advance

Andy
 

[paxton coyote]

 Personally I think if you've never even camped & all you have is a cheap 26" mtb you're goal of starting the TD next year may be a little soon. I would use the bike you have currently & buy some bargain gear to try bikepacking out your backdoor this year & if it's your cup of tea then start upgrading your things maybe starting with your bike.

 I've never done the TD but plan on touring parts of it on my own time in the future so I've spoke with several about it & I think the diifference in lining up for the actual race & touring it on one's own time with no certain agenda or time restraints is HUGE not only in personal committment but the type of gear/food your using as well. When touring it I think the gear changes (a liitle more & maybe a little comfier like a tent vs.bivvy) as does the mindset of a person like "smelling the roses" vs. "I have to cover 175 miles today"

 The amount of committment to do the race is mind-boggling when it comes bike choice, gear, nutrition, training etc so I think it takes a lot of pre planning especially if your coming from overseas & shipping your bike/gear etc & possibly more than 1 year if your just a beginner. I've been playing with this bikepacking stuff out my backdoor going on 3 years now & I learn something everytime I go out as far as what I forgot or what I drug along that I didn't need & I started out with bargain gear & am slowly building my gear up to better quality/lighter weight stuff & it takes $$$ as well as time getting online reading reviews on the stuff I've purchased. I'm 46 yrs now & thinking of making the Divide route my 50th birthday bash from Canada to Steamboat as that's the most I can probably commit to for now.

 Not trying to sound negative & perhaps others will chime in who've done it with better advice for getting ready in a year but my guess is be prepared for A LOT of riding & A LOT of money spent in a short time for gear & A LOT of nights spent trying it out! I think if one is in the mindset to try the actual race & is traveling from overseas then the time-off, traveling expenses & logistics of transporting bike/gear is HUGE so you want ALL the bases covered to make the trip the best it can be & not cut short from poor bike/gear choice, wrong nutrition or lack of training. If indeed you pull it all off in one year & line up in "13 then you planned well I think & best of luck to you for a most enjoyable experience.

[chriskmurray]

I have not done the TD but have been mountain biking for quite some time.  My list of questions would be:

How long have you been cycling and any experience with long distance stuff? 

What kind of "cheap hardtail"  cheap is a relative term, I know people who call $3000 bikes cheap...

How much time do you have to commit to such a feat?

How much disposable income do you have?

What are your goals for finishing time?

Even if you are relatively new to cycling with enough discipline I would think you should be able to pull it off.

[mattyp]

If you are just starting out; I would suggest getting something that's not the lightest or the newest but reasonable stuff that will last; so more midgrade.  If you decide later you want more light weight then you can make improvements.  I don't know what you have in the UK; but in the US REI and Eastern Mountain Sports both have their home brand stuff that is good stuff for less than the name brands.  They might not be as flashy or have the most tech features;  but for tents and bags you really don't need something new;  just needs to work.  You might want to consider finding a used bivy on ebay if the price is a concern and you might get something pretty nice; a lot of people try bivies and don't like them.  Also if you don't like it you can probably turn around and sell it all for a small loss if you purchase wisely. 

one thing to consider on the bike is that you need smaller stuff than you can take backpacking, because the bags are smaller volume;  this in itself makes it necessary to buy lighter gear.  also;  if you are considering doing the TD; why do you think you won't like camping, it's a requisite to the the TD as far as i know?

[fifeandy]

To answer chris's questions.

I have been cycling on the road for 3 years and on a mtb for one.
I completed the Raid Pyreneen last year which is a coast/coast across france.
450mi, 36000ft climbing in 100hrs.  It was supported riding, and on the road, but its a decent base I think.

"Cheap" would be as in £500 on sale
Sram x7, avid juicy3, rock shox tora, own brand finishing kit and wheels.
Weighs in at a hefty 30lb though.
Its been an ideal starter bike.

I have every hour of the day that isn't a 37hr working week to commit.

Most of my disposable income goes on saving for a house, but i'm willing to commit a fair lump of cash once I prove to myself that TD isn't an insane dream.

My goal finishing time would be as fast as possible. 
I'd see anything over 27 days as dissapointing, and probably wouldn't book flights if I didn't think the fitness was in place to go at least that fast.


@matty,
My motivation is the physical challenge and the opportunity to ride my bike through some amazing terrain.
I do however come very much from an athletic/sports background rather than an outdoorsy type that has moved to a bike.


Thanks to all for responses so far.  They are much appreciated.

[chriskmurray]

So new to ultra endurance bikepacking but not cycling, cool.

In my in-experienced opinion sounds like if you want it you should not have any problem getting the fitness together to pull it off.  Your bike sounds like if it is in good mechanical shape it is nice enough quality to make the distance if you wanted to use it, although a nicer bike would certainly be more fun/efficient.  Sram X7 stuff is surprisingly nice, I have had it on my commuter for a couple years now and am surprised how well it shifts and has held up, it has even rivaled my X0 bike in shift quality.

As to the quality of gear, if you plan to use it after the TD I would buy the nicest you could reasonably afford.  Personally I have a small budget to pull of the CTR so I will probably be getting mid-level gear and just deal with the little bit of extra weight.  If I had the money I would buy the nicest out there though, you can always re-sell and in such demanding races as these any extra help from the gear will be nice.

[s8tannorm]

Hope posting this here isn't bad of me ... if it is, I'm sorry.

Andy, have a look at the Bear Bones forum - http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php?sid=7b2015e39f5801457bc585d274ab1c39

It's UK based so you might be able to hook yourself up with some gear or buddies to venture out with.

[fifeandy]

Hi all,

After taking everyone's advice into consideration I decided to start out with some slightly heavier cheaper gear to get me started with some weekend trips and a week in the Scottish highlands.

I'd love to hear peoples thoughts on the gear I'm considering.
http://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/vango-venom-400.html
http://www.simplyhike.co.uk/products/Coleman/Cobra2Tent.aspx
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/poe_peak_oyl_lite_self_inflating_mat.html

Thanks again

Andy

[Done]

Looks like decent gear to get you started. I prefer a bivy bag to a tent (MUCH lighter and more compact)--but I might feel differently if I were in the cold & wet Scottish highlands! Have fun!

[Slim]

Get Andrew Skurka's book 'ultimate hiker' for ideas on what clothes to bring and what shelter. It gives great gear lists and weights for items.

I would suggest no tent at all. Many lightweight hikers/bikers are using tarps or similar anyway and they are way cheaper. You can get a real cheap and basic tarp to experiment with.

[Rabid Hillbilly]

I use a coleman 0 degree sleeping bag and a 6x8 tarp.