Matt C Matt J Chris
Matt C and his thoughts about BIKE-PACKING
(10 random but obvious things I didn’t know about long-distance bike-packing… without support)1. More people climb Everest than do this. OK, that may not be true, but it feels like it is. There isn’t even a word for it (touring, bike-packing, dual sport, cross, hybrid to name a few)2. Insects and dogs love bike-packers.3. If you don’t ride with a baby, your weekly shopping, or ALL your work stuff… for 5 hours a day; then this may not be for you.4. The hard bit is getting to the start, then it makes perfect sense.5. Gadgets can tell you where you are and where you’ve been. They don’t suggest where to go, or how a bike-packer might want to get there. You will probably need books, maps, and local advice.6. The stuff on the market is often too special or expensive.7. In some places you go, you will be an extra mouth to feed… usually with a very big appetite.8. A litre of water weighs 1kg. ALL your stuff will weigh about 12kg (weigh your lock!).9. Time flies – do LOTS of prep and some practice.10. Most of what you take to get there (e.g. by air), you can’t take with you (e.g. bike bag).Our ideas about these things are coming later, if they work!
