New to bikepacking

[Mbrien17]

Hello,

New to using forums. I live on the MA/NH border and would like to start trying to plan a trip. I'm curious how people go about it. I had figured using campgrounds is best but I've never done this before.

Just looking for any insight if people have any. My wife and I have pretty simple trail bikes. Nothing too fancy at the moment.

Thank you.


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[offroute]

Choose a destination and figure out a route to get you there and home. Or choose a route, path, trail, etc., and figure out how to get there and home. Check out ride reports here and at other sources. Talk with your bike/outdoor shop people. Become an Adventure Cycling Association member.

Check the Routes section of this site for some ideas, including just a small portion of a route. There may not be something listed in your 'hood, no matter. There's plenty of gorgeous countryside in New England. Franconia Notch, North Conway etc., seem like great places to include in a trip.

Digital tools like Google Maps can reveal little-used ways to bike through places; use the biking and hiking modes in GM.

Campgrounds work well, but primitive camping in open space does also, assuming you have some experience backpacking or camping light. Nothing wrong with a night in a motel if that feels right.

The main thing is to have fun. Don't try to do too much, just take little steps toward whatever bigger thing you may end up doing. Chivalry isn't dead; take the lion's share of the load and work so your lady will stay psyched to partake Lots of little details can help, but it's mostly common sense. I think you're just in time for the black flies to subside in the White Mountains...go have some fun. Report your findings here 

[Mbrien17]

Thank you for the reply. I hadn't considered the motel idea but that might simplify things at the start. I'll be looking into the ideas you mentioned. I'm at sea right now so I have plenty of time to sit and think about this. Thank you, again, for the insight. Pretty excited to get into this.



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[vermont]

Also consider the "style" of packing.  This site specifically caters to a lighter weight, with limited use or no use of panniers and more towards mountain bikes.  If you are going to use racks and panniers, there may be other sites that may be more useful.

[bakerjw]

It doesn't take a lot of gear to get started in bikepacking and motels provide a good option. Also an overnighter doesn't need to be offroad. Pick a town 20, 30, miles away, make a reservation and go ride there and make it like a date night getaway.
Another option is if you have friends that like camping too, have them carry some gear to a campground while you ride you to meet them.

[Mbrien17]

It doesn't take a lot of gear to get started in bikepacking and motels provide a good option. Also an overnighter doesn't need to be offroad. Pick a town 20, 30, miles away, make a reservation and go ride there and make it like a date night getaway.
Another option is if you have friends that like camping too, have them carry some gear to a campground while you ride you to meet them.

The hotel idea does sound much easier and would be more welcome after the ride than having to set up camp.

I've had my bike for years, nothing fancy, no rear rack or anything. So far it sounds like just loading up my backpack or getting a decent seat bag and heading north up the coast.

Thank you for the input. Usually I've just gone riding without much of a plan. Still learning about all the trail and road networks that can be used. Learning how to put together a plan.


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[offroute]

I read a mention of a "tans-VT" route that you might want to dig into.

I would try to connect with other passionate cyclists in your area to glean some confirmed route possibilities. Making stuff up is fun, but a hundred cyclists in your area have been where you are now, so, no doubt, there are great sub 100 mile circuit possibilities. I would start grilling my local bike shop for routes like that and riders who bikepack. Greasing the track with a sixer for someone's trouble (read: guiding expertise) is a time-tested technique. Also, I would hit regional MTB forums like they have on MTBR.com – I've always gotten generous advice there, albeit maybe not BP-specific.

Passion will get you everywhere; one just needs to sort out some details, which you are. Enjoy the process!  


PS: If motel'ing is in the cards, it might be prudent to call ahead to confirm vacancy/reserve a room, and to confirm you can put your bike in the room. A couple I've stopped at wouldn't allow bikes in the room. Bringing a cable/lock would be handy if they offer up a remote bike storage area, shed, etc. I never have a lock, so I always find a room that welcomes bikes when I motel it.

[Mbrien17]

I read a mention of a "tans-VT" route that you might want to dig into.

I would try to connect with other passionate cyclists in your area to glean some confirmed route possibilities. Making stuff up is fun, but a hundred cyclists in your area have been where you are now, so, no doubt, there are great sub 100 mile circuit possibilities. I would start grilling my local bike shop for routes like that and riders who bikepack. Greasing the track with a sixer for someone's trouble (read: guiding expertise) is a time-tested technique. Also, I would hit regional MTB forums like they have on MTBR.com – I've always gotten generous advice there, albeit maybe not BP-specific.

Passion will get you everywhere; one just needs to sort out some details, which you are. Enjoy the process!  


PS: If motel'ing is in the cards, it might be prudent to call ahead to confirm vacancy/reserve a room, and to confirm you can put your bike in the room. A couple I've stopped at wouldn't allow bikes in the room. Bringing a cable/lock would be handy if they offer up a remote bike storage area, shed, etc. I never have a lock, so I always find a room that welcomes bikes when I motel it.

I've been spending a pretty large amount of time browsing the various routes that are posted online and reading the forums. I had no idea the network of people was so massive. I did see that the local bike shop has a group of active riders so I plan on going to talk to them when I get off the ship.

I found the East Coast Greenway which looks like a cool ride. I guess I had always assumed this was all done on trails because of what I'd seen in magazines and such. Using the roads certainly makes it easier as far as planning goes.

I've done a few 30+ mile Saturdays at home so I'd imagine I'll be able to stumble and bumble along a little bit.

Pretty excited, thanks again for the input.


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[offroute]

Hah, you must be getting itchy for land That'll speed the process along!


Greenway sounds like a great way to go. Trails are fun in their own way; mileage takes a hit but what can you say about singletrack on a MTB...it's the nazz. I agree that not getting remote and rugged is a great way to get into it. I'll bet many here, like me, did road tours before loading up a mountain bike.

Road riding can be anything from dreadful to sublime. Before committing to a route I'd be inclined to confirm it has some shoulder, and not mostly taken up by a rumble strip. Also not heavy truck traffic. Maybe scope it by car or through Google Maps? I'm sure your new friends will offer specific options...

Cheers : )

[Mbrien17]

So, the more and more I'm reading the more I read about people changing out their seats and such. I've also learned it's apparently a "saddle". Now I know.

Anyways, I had previously taken my old GT seat off that came with the bike and replaced it with a big, fat, squishy seat for more comfort on my longer rides. It looks like the seats most people are using are much more narrow. Is there a particular reason for that or is it pretty much just based on comfort?

I'm seeing a lot of different options out there. That and the pedals seem to be another big thing. I have your basic bike pedal but I think I'll probably just leave those alone.


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[vermont]

big fat comfy seats are very hard to get behind.  When riding technical situations or even on the road going into an aero tuck requires you thighs to get behind the seat.  I have one that is wide but not huge and it is relegated to my commuter because I simply could not move around the bike on it.
Also, bigger does not necessarily mean more comfortable.  Too much seat can make it harder to pedal fast and that can get very uncomfortable over many many miles.  High mileage riders tend to like a firmer saddle.
With that said, if you are not going off road and like your seat, then keep it.  Its your butt.
Pedals... once you go to cycling shoes and clipless pedals, there is no going back.  And no, you are not attached to the pedal until death do you part.  Once again, ride what makes you happy.

[offroute]

What vermont said about saddles.

If I was starting out I would go to a bike shop that has the measuring device for sit bones, utilize it, and get their recommendations for saddles which accommodate that width. Some saddles are coming out in sizes now. Not necessarily saying I would buy a saddle at the shop, but at least get a reference point and suggestions.

Another route is to buy a leather saddle and start using it. Brooks, Selle Anatomica and others are known for long comfort but may require some break in. My SA saddle was comfortable off the shelf. My wife did not like her SA saddle at all, FWIW. Don't get hung up on the size and shape – let your butt decide what works. Some leather saddles are comfy enough to ride all day with no padded shorts – that would be a good goal. Like some, I gave up padded shorts for touring because they create more problems than they solve. Sitting on a damp sponge all day sucks.

Whatever pedal you're comfortable with is fine for touring, as tourist's varied taste have confirmed for decades.

[Mbrien17]

You folks are awesome. Really appreciate all the info.

I've really enjoyed the trails along the river but she seems to be more into the rail trails and roads so I'm trying to set myself up for a little of both. Have a lot of time to think about it out here so I'm probably over doing it.

I agree with the padded shorts thing. I'm not into being water logged any more than I need to be. There's only three bike shops in my area so hopefully one of them can help me out with the saddle situation.

After that I think it's just finalizing a route plan for the most part. I think I'll make Portsmouth, NH my first goal. Shouldn't be too difficult.


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[offroute]

I'm excited for ya! Getting the lass on board is really cool. I'd default to letting her have her way with things. You know, lull her into loving it before you start slipping in the trailage. Tandems are fun, too 

[Mbrien17]

Finally got off the ship and have gotten to do some riding. Nothing crazy. Been using the bike for a lot more of my daily errands. We've done a few local trails at the parks. A lot of those seem hit or miss. Looks like a lot of 4-wheelers ripping them up.

Still a lot of fun.


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[JellyRoll]

I'm excited for ya! Getting the lass on board is really cool. I'd default to letting her have her way with things. You know, lull her into loving it before you start slipping in the trailage. Tandems are fun, too  

^^^THIS^^^

When a significant other is involved, little steps are best. Stick to it. Do not make excuses not to ride. Be supportive and nurturing. Light competition is good to keep things from going stale. Mix it up.

My wife loves touring, but its inn-to-inn for her only. She loves her fatbike but hates riding it in anything more than 2" of snow. Little by little with gentle persistence, and she'll try new things. Wife and I ride every afternoon. She (and I) look/s forward to it.