The Pedalshift Project 231: Exploring Bikepacking in 2021

I’ll admit, I’ve been bikepacking curious for awhile. As my touring continues to expand and evolve I’m thinking more about bikepacking options for 2021 and I thought I’d share the process on the pod. Join me, won’t you?

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 230: (mp3).

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Photo: ECR by Surly.

Exploring bikepacking options

Evolving gear – what is touring and what is bikepacking? Does it matter?
Expanding gear to suit tours best
Slimmer profile
Less gear for low or no camping touring
More trails and gravel (hi WV!)

Option 1 – modify what I have

fork cages + dry bags (10L x2) = 1 ortlieb
- EXCEPT… new fork doesn’t have brazons
handlebar roll
- EXCEPT current brake cables block ability to tighten

dry bag on rear rack or saddle bag
- This is currently doable

Saddle bag?
- With a rear rack this doesn’t do much.

Option 2 – Reduce gear in and get into 2-3 dry bags?

Ding ding. An option I’ve done before.
Particularly easy for no-camping trips.
For camping: Hammock? Bivvy or smaller tent?

Option 3 – New bike?

Probably where I’m heading. Surly ECR looks amazing.
COVID continues to limit availability, and also Surly has slimmed down its bikepacking line (pour one out for the Ogre, not to mention the non-disc LHT!)
Then add bikepacking bags.
Build: go all out or frugally? I think my next bike might be more the former, but it really depends. This option gets very expensive, very quickly.

Where do I land?

I’ve been threatening a new bike for a while, but it’s a big outlay.
I would need to justify its purchase by actually using it, or I’ll feel dumb/wasteful.
Biggest thing working against this is the substantial overlap between my Safari and the ECR. When I ride one and could use the other, I’ll be thinking of waste.
My spring tour is almost certainly on the Safari, it’s just a question of where… probably close to home again because it seems prudent to wait on the vaccination and summer for a longer ride
Much more to think about!

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this spring’s DC to Cincinnatti bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

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Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields has a new album in 2021, AND Jason has a new solo album in 2021, AND his first solo album is now streaming on Spotify, including America, the Pedalshift theme. Go listen!