Bikepacking in the Mountains?

[kq6up]

I have a Surly Disk Trucker, and I am wondering if 6%-8% grades are doable.  I have never been bike packing before.  I am a strong cyclist, and can do those grades easily on a regular road bike.  Does one need to be Superhuman to climb 6k feet on such a grade.  Just curious about bikepacking in the mountains.

Regards,
Chris Maness

[offroute]

Hey, Chris,

Variables are many, and on tour, why would I care? : ) I ride until I have to push, then repeat. Surface, wind, load, setup matter as much as el and mi. Pushing your bike isn't defeat, it's a way to rest and enjoy surroundings. Embrace hitting the wall...IMO it's part of being in the mountains.

[black_labb]

With low gears (say 22:32) steep hills can be ridden up without too much difficulty (or too much speed). If it's paved up to 12% shouldn't be too much issue over long stretches with patience even with a heavy load. Steeper for shorter sections are pretty doable. Unpaved surfaces can be difficult as you can lose traction and have to put your foot down so steep inclines can be challenging. Difficult or uneven surfaces can limit your ability to climb. There is a point where pushing is the best way. About 2-3 months into my first bike tour I found that I was better off riding up even the steepest hills (paved) with the heavy loads. These days I'm not as bike fit and pushing can be a welcome change of pace.

Mountains can be great as you have a challenge (the up) and then a reward (the down). Flat ground can get boring over too much time but watching the distance click by quickly is nice as well. Don't fear the mountains, just have patience.