Planning to do my first ever bikepacking trip this weekend. I’m really excited but also really nervous. I’m using my old tent and sleeping bag strapped to a rack. They’re not ultralight my any means, but I was hoping they would be enough for this trip. After strapping to the rack for the first time I’m starting to have second thoughts. Is this going to hold on for a 30ish mile ride? 😭
by limitedmage
10 Comments
Would it not be better to try and strap the blue bag to the side of the rear rack and then strap the tent to the top of the rack? It does have plenty of loops to where it could be safely hold on to.
For where you are going, does the rear cargo need to be in-line like that? Could you mount the two items across the rack? It wont be much wider than a pair of panniers. That may make strapping them more secure, and it will center their weight a little better. That much weight that far back may make for some interesting handling.
For only 30 miles I think you will be fine, as long as it’s all tightly strapped on to the bike, and the terrain is smooth.
Is it optimal to have all of the weight of your luggage solely on the back of the bike? Not at all, and it will affect the bike’s handling for the worse. I would see if it were not possible to strap something, maybe the sleeping bag, onto the handlebar instead to distribute the weight better. But at the end of the day, it’s only 30 miles. I do that sort of distance without even thinking about it. That should be 3 hours or less riding time.
Hope you enjoy your ride.
Have you got anything on the bars yet if not the tent could go up front on inside of the drops of the bars
What ever you do, secure the tails of the straps before they get wrapped up in your wheel.
Why not take the tent and poles out of the bag and put them in a frame bag or back pack
Finish getting packed and ride around your usual area for a mile or two, feel it out if you need to shift anything and then send it! Don’t overthink it you’ll be fine.
It’s going to be ok.
A lot of us start with less than perfect set ups. Some of my bike packing loads looked a lot like yours. I keep improving it with time, but it works for what I do. The goal should be light, low, secured, balanced and centered. I’m still working toward that.
Wear Dyneema or something similar so you don’t destroy your shorts in one ride.
I think you’ll be fine.
It’ll be slower than being ultra light but you’ll be fine. Best gear is the thing you have.