Hello All! New to bikepacking (using a 2019 Salsa Journeyman)

[Skiman047]

Hey yall.  Im in Chico, CA and am working at a local bike shop.  I picked up a 650B journeyman for a commuter & around town bike.  (The EP was far too good to pass up).  Ive since acquired some 700 wheels and am fitting it for packing.  Ive picked up the front fork cages, the handlebar roll, the full size framebag, the large seatpost bag, and a couple of feed bags.  

as far as gear goes, im trying to figure out what ill need and what I have.  Im trying to figure out if I want to do an actual tent or a bivy tent.  Im debating what clothes ill need.  If i should bring just a single bladder of water and a filter pump.  The stove argument is one ive heard a lot of different things about.  I have a little alcohol stove that is small and works well, but I see a lot of people using compressed gas, as well as some using solid fuel stoves.  

anyways, any help would be awesome.  I figure my first trip will be a single night venture on a 22 mile-per-day trip and a stop at a campground for the night.  So, I wont have to worry about too much if i forget something.  


This is the bivy tent im talking about, NOT a bivy sack.  
https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/alpine-bivy-269289

This is one of the cheaper solid fuel stoves i was thinking about as well. 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C1UGVO/?coliid=I1NLEFZVEW83EP&colid=3C4I760L4KHNO&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

[AZTtripper]

Some things like tent vs bivy, are situational or just personal preferences. If mosquitoes are an issue a tent might be the best bet, if you want to ride all day and into the night dropping into a bivy is quick. Stove or not again personal, some people don't mind cold food even freeze dried, some are willing to carry the stove. The type of stove is very personal, price of fuel vs how often your using it, a small metal cup and a stick fire, assuming it's safe and legal, will get the job done. Clothing choices can very by forecast, also personal some are willing to suffer the cold to save weight. As to water, some can go farther with less others need to carry more, some ride spigot to spigot others need to carry the filter. Some routes don't have water to filter so more capacity is required.

Tim

[sashax]

At least in the summer, most California and Oregon National Forests (and I assume state parks and the like), ban alcohol and wood fires, so that may be a consideration if things get firey again this summer.

As AZTRipper says, water capacity varies by route. I am most comfortable with at least a 5 liter capacity, but that's definitely overkill for many routes.

[Skiman047]

Some things like tent vs bivy, are situational or just personal preferences. If mosquitoes are an issue a tent might be the best bet, if you want to ride all day and into the night dropping into a bivy is quick. Stove or not again personal, some people don't mind cold food even freeze dried, some are willing to carry the stove. The type of stove is very personal, price of fuel vs how often your using it, a small metal cup and a stick fire, assuming it's safe and legal, will get the job done. Clothing choices can very by forecast, also personal some are willing to suffer the cold to save weight. As to water, some can go farther with less others need to carry more, some ride spigot to spigot others need to carry the filter. Some routes don't have water to filter so more capacity is required.

Tim

Tim, appreciate the response.  However, I think people have the misconception that bivys are only the bivy sacks.  Im referring to a bivy tent, which has poles and such.  Im not sure why more people dont use them, since they seem to just be a smaller tent.  I posted the link to the one ive been researching in the original post, as well as one of the solid fuel stoves that seems to be well received. 

I totally understand that all of this is on a per trip basis, and would obviously need research on the routes before I can finalize any of my equipment.  I appreciate the time.  For now, it seems that fire roads and very little singletrack is my current goal.  Having a drop bar rigid bike is going to limit me as far as where i can go for now.  Might have to EP a Beargrease or a Muckluck. 

[AZTtripper]

Sorry I missed the link, still a bivy not a tent so you can't sit up and cook, but it has poles so you need to store them somewhere. I always carried a tarp and used a bivy to help keep the bag dry in case of rain. Tarpoligy is another one of the personal preferences, I like the flexibility can be a wind break or shade as well as rain fly. Down side is time of set up making use of natural resources, trees, even the bike. Can be part of the fun when it comes together easy, could suck when it's already raining and or blowing.

Best of luck figuring out what works for you.

[Skiman047]

Sorry I missed the link, still a bivy not a tent so you can't sit up and cook, but it has poles so you need to store them somewhere. I always carried a tarp and used a bivy to help keep the bag dry in case of rain. Tarpoligy is another one of the personal preferences, I like the flexibility can be a wind break or shade as well as rain fly. Down side is time of set up making use of natural resources, trees, even the bike. Can be part of the fun when it comes together easy, could suck when it's already raining and or blowing.

Best of luck figuring out what works for you.

very true.  I also just talked to someone who is very happy using a hammock.  I know those are pretty comfortable and we used to use them on the Boy Scout 50 mile and 75 mile packing trips.  Their drawback was, as you said, the availability of trees.  However, ive found that if you pair them with a nice rain tarp, they can be fantastic. 

From what you and others are saying ,though, is that a 1lb tent would be much more preferable than a bivy of the same weight. 

I appreciate the insight and will do some more research on the tents, then. 

[AZTtripper]

Yep hammocks are popular and there are some nice one's these days. Don't think my back would put up with one. People who like them seem to make it work even in the desert, I have seen one pitched off a fence using the bike as well. If you think you'll be spending much time stuck inside a tent might be the best. Enjoy the process.