First trip of the summer, 260km loop down the Sunshine Coast, BC, and back again

Just finished up a 3 day solo tour along Powell River and the Sunshine Coast on my Pack Monkey. 260km and 3,000m of elevation gained on a mix of singletrack, doubletrack, FSR, backroads, and highways. This was my first proper tour on my Surly Karate Monkey (dubbed the Pack Monkey when it’s built up like this) and it was everything I thought it would be. A little sluggish on the flats, climbs like an anchor, descends like a bat out of hell, and still rips singletrack under full load.

It ended up being a little more road riding than I’d hoped, but I prioritized finishing the route in full over doing some more single track and having to be picked up off the side of the road the next day. I rode a couple sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail and ended up following a couple of locals (I guess I looked very lost) before cruising along the low roads where possible to Gibsons. I helped someone rebuild their bike rack after it fell apart in the ferry terminal it helped that we had the same bike rack and mine needed tightening most days (check your bolts before you rude people) and had a really good chat with them the rest of the way. Saw heaps of other bikepackers heading South along 19a on Vancouver Island as I made my way back home. Body is feeling good, bike rode well, and I’m looking forward to a real bed tonight.

Specs on the bike are:
– Large Karate Monkey in Fools Gold
– Ohlins RXF36 M.2 140mm pilfered from my trail bike
– Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels with Bontrager Betasso 700/55c tires
– SRAM Apex AXS 12sp reverse mullet drivetrain (for now, MTB chainring, gravel cassette)
– SRAM G2 RSC brakes
– Surly Moloko Bars with Trek gel tape and OneUp thick grips
– OneUp 210mm dropper and Ergon touring saddle

Gear specs:
– Zefal bar bag (10L I think?)
– Ortlieb Fork Packs (10/10 would buy again)
– Aeroe Spider Rack with 13L Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag
– Apidura frame bag
– Topeak tool holder
– EVOC Hydro Pro 3 (game changer on this ride, 1.5L water, snacks, wallet, tool roll, bear spray, and still room for more. Definitely a staple going forward)