Creating a thread for multi-day touring/bikepacking/adventure/dirt-touring hijinks. I heard something about some kind of cross coming or something, but people, camping is THE SHIT. Long rides are fun, but what's even more fun is not turning around at the end of the day, making coffee in the morning, and continuing.

The next ride I'm planning: Touring Vermont during peak leaf season \o/

The general idea - ride to the very end of the Vermonter Amtrak line (they take bikes), which as it happens is the very end of Vermont. Practically Montreal.

Going to be dialing in and refining these routes for a while, but…

Tuesday 10/11: hammer to Harriman after work


Wednesday 10/12: Harriman to Kaaterskill Wild Forest (backcountry camping)


Thursday 10/13: Kaaterskill to Greenwood Lodge & Campsites in Woodford VT

** I have family in Albany, who will gladly fill our bellies


Friday: Greenwood to Mt Ellen in Green Mountain National Forest (backcountry camping)


Saturday: Mt Ellen to St. Albans by way of Grand Isle


Sunday: train home. or train home on Saturday

Big miles, big hills, big thrills. Road, dirt, gravel, all of it. Because… why not?????

What say ye?

This sounds awesome, but I don't know if we have the correct gear.  What do you need for this?

Fat tires and means to carry shit… honestly that's about it. I'll have reliable electricity for navigation systems.

Oh and lots of chamois cream

Oh and by shit I mean barebones camping gear. Everything else is the same: nutrition, hydration. Just more than you're used to carrying.

while you're on grand isle, by all means, have my KOM https://www.strava.com/segments/7594273

@JillWhite Relevate bags can fit on a lot of bikes that don't have rack mounts: http://www.revelatedesigns.com/

@BenFinoRadin This looks awesome but I'm limited on time and tire fatness. Any chance there's a two day roadie tour in the future? (Maybe a fall run to DC?)

@RileyHoonan totally! I'm away this weekend, have GMSR next weekend, have beach plans the weekend after that BUT am thinking 16th-18th for a mini weekend adventure. Are you down for Friday evening, after work escape from the city, or would you prefer early Saturday departure?

@JillWhite what Riley said - big seat bags aren't very expensive, don't require and racks, don't touch your frame, and they hold enough for a two day shortie trip. I have one that can be borrowed 

I'm not seeing much interesting camping along a route to DC that would be doable on a weekend - but here's a thought: Friday evening hammer to Harriman (40ish miles from midtown), Saturday to backcountry camping along the Appalachian trail in the Delaware water gap (80ish miles), Sunday to Philly (120ish miles) to chillax and catch the Vermonter back to NYC.

I'm in for an adventure, but don't have a wknd opportunity until Sep 29.  I'd build everything up I need on my CX bike and I have all the requisite camping gear.

The weekend of the 16 - 18 I'm in Maryland and PA for rafting / Nittney CX (if anyone is down for a whitewater rafting trip in Western Maryland on Sep 17 and heading to Nittney CX on Sep 18 let me know, will provide deets), and the weekend of Sep 23 - 25 I'm most likely in Houston.

Sweet I'm free that weekend 9/30. Will use the 9/16 ride to scout 

Here's a rough cut of a weekend route to Philly, not including the Friday evening head start to Harriman…

Part 1 (Saturday): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16091929
Part 2 (Sunday): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16095617

Giddyup.  I'm in if we can settle on Sep 29 - Oct 1.  Sep 30 - Oct. 2

Rad. This looks amazing. I can't commit to anything right now but if I can, I'll be there. I'll know for sure a week out. Also the 29th is a thursday, I'm assuming this is meant to be sept 30th- oct 2nd?

RileyHoonan said:

Rad. This looks amazing. I can't commit to anything right now but if I can, I'll be there. I'll know for sure a week out. Also the 29th is a thursday, I'm assuming this is meant to be sept 30th- oct 2nd?

Yes.

Mid October VT route is shaping up nicely. Day 2 will include 30 continuous miles of gravel trail, and Devil's Kitchen

Does REI still rent gear? Tents, stoves, etc.

Not sure, but Paragon definitely does.

So apparently we are members of Randonneurs USA??

I believe you have @JoshuaC to thank for that, he's been our in-house Rando guy. Keeping the big miles up. 

I wish I could join the weekend tour on September 30 but I have family visiting. That time last year I had just left behind Big Sur and was rolling towards Pismo Beach, on my way from Vancouver B.C. to San Diego along the coastal highways.



But this means I have gear to loan:

Jandd Low Front Rack
Jandd Expedition Rear Rack
Ortlieb Front-Roller Panniers (25L capacity)
Axiom panniers (not sure exact volume, but slightly larger than the Ortliebs)
Specialized Armadillo tires -- I'll update this later with exact size
Fenders that work best if your bike has fender eyelets 
Small frame triangle bag, good for tubes and/or gadgets
Jannd cylindrical handlebar bag
Bungee cords

ThermaRest RidgeRest sleeping pad 
Kelty sleeping bag (which is actually a little short for me) rated to 40F 
ALPS Mountaineering inflatable pillow (possibly the best thing I brought on my tour)
ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr one-person tent

MSR Whisperlite International stove w/ 12oz fuel bottle
Bic lighter
SnowPeak Trek 1400 titanium cookset
SnowPeak titanium mug (fits inside the cookset)
Sea to Summit titanium long-handled spork
Sea to Summit collapsible bowl/cutting board
Leatherman Wingman multitool 

That's the basics of my packing list from that forty-day tour, besides clothing and a few more spare bike parts than you would carry on your average group ride. I can also loan a Kelty Gunnison two-person tent and a Sea to Summit sleeping bag liner (if the forecast looks chilly).

Excellent stuff. I'd be up for some of these adventures (though its a hard sell for me during cross season). I've done a bit of bike touring and a lot of backpacking and have my own gear. 

Hey all - I'll be doing the Harriman -> Delaware Water Gap -> Philly ride the 16th-18th (still doing the 30th as well - this is a sort of scouting run). LMK if you're interested!

Here are some great examples of some super minimal rando/brevet setups that are using road bikes with no racks, braze ons, etc: http://theradavist.com/2016/07/a-trio-of-sverigetempot-bikes/#1

As per @RileyHoonan's suggestion, Relevate is a very popular brand, but most companies are now making bags along these lines. A quick internet search for "bikepacking bags" yields many options – saddle bags, frame bags, top tube bags, handlebar bags, handlebar packs, etc etc.

if you want to be overwhelmed with options for bags and configurations...you're welcome

http://www.cyclingabout.com/complete-list-of-bikepacking-bag-manufacturers/

Hey all - I just realized that 10/10 is Columbus day, so shifting the schedule of the Vermont rando to start after work on Friday 10/7 – which means back in NYC the evening of Weds 10/12, and thus only two days out of the office.

Screw adventure bikes I have moved on 
I imagine spinning blades and flame throwers. 

@Dan Reiners see Colin Furze

Hey all – headed out tomorrow for a three day rando:

Friday night: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15697797
Saturday: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16091929
Sunday: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16601784

Three days, 255 miles.

Anyone welcome to join! Riding with a non-kissena.

Last weekend's ride report

http://notepad.benfinoradin.info/2016/09/20/road-rash-barns-nocturnal-visitations/