YamanashiLiving123
Maximum Pace
- Dec 9, 2015
- 820
- 491
- Thread starter
- #21
Nahh not interested
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I like the idea of going off road and finding a place to pitch a tent. Reserving a place, even though I have done it with my son is less adventurous. I think in a previous post or posts, they have pitched tents where they see fit.I used to use a rack and panniers but if I pack lighter and take just the essentials, most everything fits in the saddle bag and handlebar roll. I still like to use a small pack (Deuter Ultraride 6) for water and valuables. Saves me having to detach frame bags when I run into a convenience store. I barely notice the weight of the pack at all. I prefer that to having bags on the top tube. But, to each his/her own. Everyone has their own idea about what's best. Whatever works.
Last year I did an overnighter on the Izu peninsula. I figured I'd try some stealth camping. Unfortunately, with all the tall grass just off the road, it was hard to find a place that wasn't either on some farmer's land and clearly visible, or some place that would have been really difficult to pitch a tent. Next time, I'll reserve a campsite so I can be certain of having a place. I notice a lot of folks doing stealth camping, but for me, I'd rather not have to worry about finding a suitable 'stealthy' place.
why would I want to strap 10kg of weight on my shoulders
Because I already have backpacks of various sizes, and don't have any bike bags, I'd try it with a backpack first. ...
though I can definitely see the benefit of having it all strapped to the bike if you can pull it off.
Perhaps it is just down to the type of riding you do and I used to do: if you are doing proper MTBing, having stuff on the bike in panniers or so is just not an option. You can do simple forest roads or fire roads, sure. So I am sure I prefer backpacks, because that's what I am used to. Plus, I use at least the large backpack at least 5 days a week, so it is really has been a worthwhile investment for me. I'm not sure I'd use panniers or other types of bike bags that often, and I'd be reluctant to buy stuff I use only a few times per year max.Of course carry a backpack can be done on a bike. I could do it with shopping bags hanging off my handlebar drops if I really needed to. The way I see it, why would I want to strap 10kg of weight on my shoulders. I've done lots of hiking in the Japanese mountains from one night stays to 6-7 day traverses in both summer and winter so I've carried anything from around 10kg to 35kgs and not once have I thought the weight on my shoulders didn't matter. I hate having stuff hanging off my shoulders especially in this heat. Couldn't imagine how sweaty my back would get.
Not really: I have a small pack (12 liters) and a large one (28 liters). If it is really cold, I can actually make do with the small one, because then I wear my softshell jacket right from the start. I usually pack a second base layer (so that I can exchange my sweaty, wet one for a dry one), a second pair of socks, plastic bags (to wrap my feet around) and sometimes an extra pair of gloves. It gets cumbersome in the transition period when it is quite cold in the mountains but a-ok closer to the sea. The 12 liter backpack definitely gets very crammed then, but that's mostly volume, not weight, so I just squeeze and massage my main storage compartment for a minute or so until it closes.And if you are doing it in the winter to keep your back warm, you'd probably need to double your backpack size /weight to fit the extra warm gear (clothes, sleeping bag etc) in there.
Perhaps it is just down to the type of riding you do and I used to do: if you are doing proper MTBing, having stuff on the bike in panniers or so is just not an option. You can do simple forest roads or fire roads, sure. So I am sure I prefer backpacks, because that's what I am used to. Plus, I use at least the large backpack at least 5 days a week, so it is really has been a worthwhile investment for me. I'm not sure I'd use panniers or other types of bike bags that often, and I'd be reluctant to buy stuff I use only a few times per year max.
Not really: I have a small pack (12 liters) and a large one (28 liters). If it is really cold, I can actually make do with the small one, because then I wear my softshell jacket right from the start. I usually pack a second base layer (so that I can exchange my sweaty, wet one for a dry one), a second pair of socks, plastic bags (to wrap my feet around) and sometimes an extra pair of gloves. It gets cumbersome in the transition period when it is quite cold in the mountains but a-ok closer to the sea. The 12 liter backpack definitely gets very crammed then, but that's mostly volume, not weight, so I just squeeze and massage my main storage compartment for a minute or so until it closes.
Regarding warmth, the backpack is usually just a plus then, not my way of keeping me warm. It is just nice that at least my back is toasty when my fingers feel as if they are freezing off.
Don't you live in Sendai. I'd love to see you go bikepacking in the winter and camping out with only the stuff you can fit in a 12litre backpack. You'd freeze to death at night. I was under the impression that Sendai was crazy cold through the winter. Perhaps I'm wrong. I'd struggle to just fit my winter sleeping bag in a 12 litre backpack, although that beast keeps me toasty down at -30c, here
View attachment 16784
Very interesting thread. Planning to do some light bikepacking on a road bike myself but with a credit card rather than camping out. I won't be carrying a backpack on my back so was just wondering which bag is better: one that attaches under the saddle, or one that fits inside the frame? The routes will be quite hilly, if that makes a difference, but on sealed roads (I hope!). Thanks.
@TokyoLiving Here's my bikepacking setup. All the bags are from Topeak, purchased from Amazon at reasonable prices. The setup worked perfectly on a recent overnighter — with lots of climbing and rad gravel — in Shizuoka.View attachment 16785