Got out and finally took my Krampus for its maiden voyage and tried my hand at bikepacking. Did the looking glass loop S24 overnighter off bikepacking.com. The climbs were absolutely bullshit and kicked my ass! Plenty of hike a bike for my out of shape self. One really tough part with a 16% grade uphill was wild. The downhill was outstanding and the single track was heavenly.
Lots of lessons learned and met some cool people on the route. Went the 17/18th of May and it was too hot for me. Lots of horse flies and poison ivy and some ticks. Saw and heard a rattle snake right off the trial about 6 inches off to the side. We both kept our respectable distances.
Camped around mile 24 next to the creek before the bridge. Large campsite, lots of widowmakers though. I wouldn’t recommend anything other than a mountain bike for some of those downhill drops, headache inducing. Some drop bar folks I passed had to carry their bikes. Ended at Oscar’s blues for brews and burger.
Would do again with less weigh, smaller panniers for just overnight, go when it’s cooler, and maybe throw front suspension on, and bring more food/electrolyte packets. The 4/10 rating on difficulty made me realize that preparation is needed for anything bikepacking related.
by Son_of_Liberty88
1 Comment
Looks like a great loop, thanks for posting! Imagining my Klein all fitted out with bikepacking gear. Would be fun. I’ve spent some time pushing and carrying my gravel bike! At least I didn’t end up dragging it.
16% grade is manageable. I bikepushed up to 24% on a trip. I do 17% just to get out of my neighborhood, so I’m somewhat inured to it.
Looking Glass. Fun rock. My last rock climb was there on Bloody Crack. A friend and I were headed up, I was belaying, stunning day, looking down at tree tops. Suddenly realized this was my last climb. I was done. I was happy with it, the rock, the sun, the wind. Flowed with the last section of the climb like water, at peace with the rock. Happy memories. Moved on to other things. Maybe I’ll bikepack this, it’s a bit of a drive from here, though!