Hello! New to the community so excuse me for the lack of knowledge but I love biking and want to do something amazing this summer.
I'm planning on doing a semi supported bike packing trip from the Keys (FL) to Valdez (AK), the route ive been planning is about 5,600 to 5,800 miles, and i have all summer to make it happen. Its been a dream for quite a while, and I'm ready super excited to do this!
The way this trip will work, i will have a driver to carry my extra gear like my backup bike, hefty cooksystem, extra clothes, extra bike parts/pieces, backup clothes, sleep system and tent. At no point will a hotel be purchased, a ride taken in the car. My only way to get to Valdez is by bike. I understand this makes it a supported trip, but I think camping outside for an entire summer as I bikepack across North America is still a pretty big accomplishment.
Currently, pic 1 and 2 are my bikes… I have a Cannondale SL2, my favorite bike I've ever ridden. its a front suspension mountain bike, 3×9 speed set, with 2.2x29in gravel tires. This was purchased 2nd hand in Valdez AK 2025, 8 months after breaking my leg in 3 places. This bike helped me get moving again when i felt like i had lost a lot of progress in my life and missed academic achievements. Ive gone on lots of smaller adventures with this bike and it has never failed. This bike is what made me fall in love with bikepacking.
My backup driver will be carrying my Framed Minnesota fat bike in case terrain changes drastically and I need something different, or incase I need to switch because of bike repairs.
I know there are other bikes out there, especially built for endurance and racing, but with avoiding major highways, i know ill be on sidewalks or side roads, maybe some long distance paved bike trails. I'm unsure if there's a better option for my primary bike, or even my backup bike, I just want to make sure that im using the right type of bike to do this trip, if there even is a right bike for this type of adventure.
Feel free to leave any feedback or advice! Thank you!
by ShadyInRed