Use a frameless backpack on a bike tour

[garlic08]

I just found a great second use for my UL frameless silnylon pack. It makes a good sleeping bag stuff sack on a bicycle tour, especially when combined with some hiking.

I went on my first bicycle tour in a decade last week. Since I started reducing my backpacking weight, I've been wondering what bike touring would be like with the lighter load. I finally tried it and it was just as much more fun as hiking is. No more granny gear on 6% grades, etc.

All my stuff and five days food fit in two rear panniers, except the sleeping bag, pad, and pack which I bungeed to the top of the rack. No front packs, no handlebar bag. Total weight less than 20 pounds.

The pack came in handy because I cycled up to the San Francisco Peaks Wilderness in Northern AZ and climbed Mt Humphreys as an overnighter. I also spent two days on a Arizona Trail work crew in the area for the weekend.

Being able to combine travel modes like that with only a couple of ounces extra weight was fantastic.

[sbhikes]

I've never done a bicycle tour but I always thought I'd be able to use my light hiking gear for it. Someday I'd like to ride the California coast.

[Danielsen]

Ultralight cycling is a wonderful thing. :) I've done a few tours with just a large trunkbag and a camelbak (recently replaced by a trunkbag with side-pocket-panniers) and thanks to UL backpacking all my gear fits pretty darn well. A backpack for a stuff sack is definitely a good idea. Lately I've been thinking of making some legitimate panniers out of cheap backpacks, but retaining some sort of strapping system to make them usable off the bike as well.

Generally I feel that if you're using front bags, you're carrying too much. ;)

[IronGutsTommy]

i find hydration bladders a must on bike tours

[Egads]

Planning a ride on the BRP with another WBzr. He has a trunk bag & handlebar bag; ~1700 ci + hydration pack. I have a saddlebag, handlebar bag, & hydration pack; ~2300 ci. We'll let you know how it goes. This is barely enough for tubes, tools, CO2, food, water, spare clothes, windshirt, etc... No tent or sleeping bags. We'll let you know how it goes.

[Danielsen]

Egads: do you have a place to stay? If you're planning to cowboy camp and there's any chance of rain, I might suggest picking up a cheap blue tarp at walmart (big enough for the both of you) and some string and stakes. Just lash it to the top of a trunkbag. In my experience sleeping out in the open with nothing to insulate but all your extra layers can be pretty rough.

IronGutsTommy: I used to always use a hydration bladder, but I got tired of the extra strain it puts on the lower back over the course of a long day (then again, I ride in a pretty low-profile position, so ymmv). Do you find that any particular pack makes it less of an issue?

[Egads]

Planning on riding inn to inn. I have a McCat tarp & driducks just in case.

[Danielsen]

Alright then. Hope it goes great. :)