Randonneuring, Adventure, and Tomfoolery

Apr 15, 2024 at 06:58 PM

Second Joe's suggestion of 718. They'll get you set up with quality kit.

There are various form factors of frame bags - everything from full frame to just a wedge for one of the triangle corners to a sliver across the top. I typically use a sliver or half frame when doing multi day rides. Getting bottle in/out isn't too bad. You may want sideload cages though. Last year when I did my 2-day ride up to NH managed with just a frame bag and bar bag. (I was credit card touring)

David Yang

Apr 15, 2024 at 07:01 PM

Lennart I have something for you that I used to commute with. Might be a tight fit for everything, but it attaches to the seat post and has a quick latch system that lets you pop it on/off the bike.

Matt Budofsky

Apr 15, 2024 at 10:29 PM

Check out Cade Media. Francis does a lot of bike packing (just got back from Malaysia) and has had some good advise

David Yang

Apr 16, 2024 at 03:41 AM

David Yang said:

Lennart I have something for you that I used to commute with. Might be a tight fit for everything, but it attaches to the seat post and has a quick latch system that lets you pop it on/off the bike.

I have this thing, just older and more plain looking.

https://carradice.co.uk/products/super-c-seatpost-qr-slim-saddlebag

LennartZandbergen

Apr 16, 2024 at 07:37 PM

I’m going to test how much I can comfortably fit in the Ortlieb saddle thing I have, but otherwise that looks great!

eloy

May 21, 2024 at 07:19 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gysv9XUehSc

niallsmart

May 22, 2024 at 08:53 PM

Hey folks, Kissena alum Scott Kuhlke is planning a bikepacking trip in VT this August and looking for some riding buddies. Outline of the trip below ... please give Scott an email on scottkuhlke@gmail.com if you might be interested in joining!

From Sat Aug 3 to Wed Aug 7 (Total of 5 days), I'm planning a VTXL bikecamping trip that is both Amtrak and rental car accessible. This route will ride ~70% of the VTXL.

On Aug 3, either a) take the Amtrak Vermonter from NYC to Montpelier, or rent a car from NYC to Montpelier. Spend the afternoon to late evening of Aug 3 getting close to the VTXL and/or find lodging / camping near Montpelier. Sun Aug 4 to Tues Aug 6 are full days on the VTXL. Lodging / Camping is still TBA. Wed Aug 7 is spent getting to Albany and taking Amtrak back to the NYC.

Draft route is below. Also, included is a writeup on Bikepacking.com identifying the highlights of the route:

Ride with GPS Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46395872?privacy_code=9mTZaKPY9NY2CBRjsFZFOLyYZA7TB0qR

VTXL Writeup: https://bikepacking.com/routes/vtxl/

Mark Taylor

May 22, 2024 at 11:46 PM

Looks absolutely gorgeous

eloy

May 23, 2024 at 02:47 AM

Ted King rode exactly this route this last year, with Tim Johnson and Pete Gaston

https://youtu.be/NjdIpMUQsPg?si=BurYnyNlFJ36TWR9

Mark Taylor

May 23, 2024 at 12:52 PM

Yes , the article in Nial's link explains that the origins of the route were Ted's idea

David Yang

Jun 04, 2024 at 08:19 PM

Not sure if we can get a summer ride out to Montauk - we can plan for an Autumn ride (maybe north shore might be more interesting then for the vineyards), but if anyone is still interested Ride Ya Bike is doing their annual SAG ride out to Montauk on June 22nd which includes a bus ride back.

https://www.bikereg.com/rideyabike-ride-to-montauk

GregHoge

Jun 04, 2024 at 09:33 PM

I'd love to do a KCC ride out to Montauk! If we can get the numbers we had at this weekends ride then we'll be flying!

BlakeFoster

Jun 05, 2024 at 12:36 PM

I really want to do this ride, too. I’m out of town for RYB event, but a KCC montauk early fall would be the chefs kiss on an awesome season

AlexandervanHatter

Aug 22, 2024 at 11:36 AM

I'm planning a bikepacking adventure up to Black Rock State Park in CT during the first weekend of September.

I think I'll mostly stick to the Empire State Trail but also curious about cutting down to New Haven/Stamford to be close to the water on the way back. I'm unfamiliar with the area, does anyone know if that route is too congested? Any feedback is appreciated!

GregHoge

Aug 22, 2024 at 12:52 PM

I've done the opposite direction (northbound). It's not the most enjoyable to ride and not very scenic until after New Haven. IME, you have to go a bit inland in CT to get nicer scenic roads.

@GrantSeltzer is probably way more familiar.

GrantSeltzer

Aug 26, 2024 at 01:37 PM

AlexandervanHatter said:

I'm planning a bikepacking adventure up to Black Rock State Park in CT during the first weekend of September.

I think I'll mostly stick to the Empire State Trail but also curious about cutting down to New Haven/Stamford to be close to the water on the way back. I'm unfamiliar with the area, does anyone know if that route is too congested? Any feedback is appreciated!

There's a glut of amazing road cycling in CT, lots of scenic, very low-traffic, roads that cut through horse estates and apple orchards. But not near the water. Close to the water (especially in Stamford) is city like and congested. So if you wanna change it up the red circle has great roads, and you can cut across Westchester to Sleepy Hollow to get back onto the Empire State Trail. Let me know if you're interested in that and I can help you put together a ridewithgps file.