It’s been interesting living through this recent boom of bicycle touring. So many people in my orbit are out there taking the long ride, sharing what they see, and I love it. But with any hobby sport there will be an ebb and flow of popularity. Expansions and contractions of any trend are perfectly normal and natural. But I think it’s safe to say that we are currently in the middle of an expansion and that makes me smile. I truly believe that the more people getting out there and having experiences on bicycles, meeting strangers, sleeping in uncomfortable spots, getting hungry, and seeing new places can only make the world a better place. There is something about traveling when the windows are always down that clears the mind and adds to the experience.
But with this popularity comes some other stuff. Like, a lot of stuff. Gadgets and widgets marketed and sold to you in the name of #BikePacking, as the next best thing to make your life easier on the road. Some of that stuff has come in the form of great innovation. The dropper post compatible seat bag is the first thing that comes to mind. I think that is some great stuff. But there is also a sea of cheap, poorly made stuff that is rushed to market to capitalize on this boom of popularity. Such is the way of capitalism and we can’t really bitch about it too much, because we really can’t do much to change it. The forces of supply and demand will sort themselves out over time and the truly good stuff will remain.
Everyone is a beginner at some point and it must be a daunting task to sort through exactly what you need to be a “Bikepacker”. After two decades of pedaling and sleeping in the dirt, I have dialed in my kit so well that I don’t even have to think about it anymore. I’m so attached to my kit that I’m stringing along threadbare and worn out items as long as possible because they simply aren’t made anymore. They are comforting and reliable and as long as they remain that way, I’ll keep them in service. I’m not some crusty old curmudgeon saying my shit is the best, it’s just the best for me and where I like to go. Through the blessing and a curse that is my social media, (and only a few comments made on bikepacking.com ), I receive regular messages from all kinds of aspiring bike hobos. A whole range of questions from bike setups to resupply recommendations and everything in between. I love answering these questions and engaging these folks. I value mentorship more than most and it is never a bother. One thing I’ve realized while having all these conversations is that I don’t really pack a lot of extra shit. It’s not completely on purpose, since I’m not a ‘Light and Fast’ kind of guy. I’m usually comfortable enough even if I end up a little more stinky than most. The only thing I can think of, is that I like my kit compact. I like to know that I can actually mountain bike with my setup. My goal is to ride singletrack and have my bike feel as close to normal as possible. It doesn’t have to be light, but it has to be tight. Long story short, I’m not usually very much help to the folks who ask, but I try. I’m a weirdo and I’m at peace with that.
The above brain dump came to me this morning while I was sipping my coffee and researching some potential bikepacking objectives for this winter. A video popped up in my feed of some random guy on a bike ride, whom I know nothing about, but the title caught my eye “I think they call it bikepacking”. Just a guy with minimal shit, experiencing bike life on the road in Spain, for what would appear as his first time. I clicked play and it brought back so many beautiful memories. I love bicycle touring in Spain and it’s one of the few European countries I have pedaled multiple times. The food, the wine, the smells, the giant hectic roundabouts with signs written in words I only kind of understand…the whole experience came flooding back to me. After watching the piece, it also reminded me of what I consider one of the greatest posts ever written on this site: A trip to the end of my wet and worn-out rope. by Snakehawk.
Both the video and article are wonderful reminders that you don’t need a lot of money or fancy gear to pedal and make some memories. Holler if you need any advice from a weirdo.
…and don’t forget #ListenToWoodyGuthire
