Comments on: The Power of the Overnighter

By: Dusty-TJ

Dusty-TJ — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:30:18 +0000

Never done bikepacking before but I have a question. Official trailheads aside, when it comes to random forest roads, old logging/mining roads, trails on BLM land, etc.. where does one normally park their vehicle to leave overnight?

By: Lou O.

Lou O. — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 17:25:31 +0000

In reply to Irak Marín. Did it go well?

By: MrB

MrB — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 16:59:10 +0000

In reply to Todd Mabbott. Cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon...

By: Todd Mabbott

Todd Mabbott — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 23:09:30 +0000

I just took my 7 year old son out in his first bikepacking trip this weekend. Our property backs right on to the Cowichan Valley Trail on Vancouver Island, so easy to hop on your bike and ride for as long as you want.

We did 15 km ride to a campsite, had pizza for dinner, and a fire by the river. Perfect evening with my son. His Grandad picked him up in the morning, and I continued on a 70km loop back home. Overnighters are awesome!

By: Rich Lee

Rich Lee — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 12:12:51 +0000

Now that I am well into my 60’s, I am transitioning from XC/enduro
racing to bikebacking. My 2014 Specialized Enduro Expert works just fine
and can carry everything I could want for comfortable camping. I am
lucky in that I live in the Santa Cruz Mts. and there are several
campgrounds within a day’s ride from my home. If I am feeling lazy and
if the over-nighter is less than 25 miles round trip, I might use the
Turbo Levo eBike.

By: Overnight ride, May 11-12th – Sault Cycling Club

Overnight ride, May 11-12th – Sault Cycling Club — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 14:44:28 +0000

[…] Weather – too far to really tell, I will keep an eye on it; bring rain gear and definitely some warm clothes Hope to see you out there. Here’s a fun article to try and sway you: http://bikepackingprd.wpengine.com/plan/overnighters/ […]

By: Camp Local: Building a Bikepacking Community : Outsiding

Camp Local: Building a Bikepacking Community : Outsiding — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:30:13 +0000

[…] if you just rearrange (or maybe juggle) your priorities. I’ve already waxed lyrical about the Power of the Overnighter and how fun it can be to ride in a posse. Getting a group of friends together for a quick local […]

By: Bill Poindexter

Bill Poindexter — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:54:00 +0000

excellent

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 17:32:00 +0000

In reply to Tim Smith.

Thanks for your thoughts, Tim.

Grant’s words and actions have generally resonated very strong with me. I admire his ideals greatly.

This said, I think that Rivendell’s sphere of influence is mainly US-centric. I’m ashamed to say I knew nothing about the brand before semi-moving to the US. Which is why I’m glad that others – like Al Humphries – have taken up the call to rouse people from their urban slumber!

At the end of the day though, I’m happy that people are getting out on short escapes when they can, wherever the inspiration comes from.

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 14:59:00 +0000

In reply to Nick Smolinske.

You’re preaching to the converted (-; I quite agree – there’s nothing I love more than riding dirt!

My only real exception is the riding to be enjoyed along the quiet backroads of the French countryside… The respect the French afford cyclists helps too.

By: Tim Smith

Tim Smith — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:30:00 +0000

I/Grant at Rivendell should SO get credit for the resurgence in the S24O. He’s been waxing poetic about the restorative nature of the night outside for 15 years, and Rivendell as a bike brand has actively supported the endeavor. My bike tastes have moved away from RBW, but I will give the man much credit for the modern interest in bike touring, and especially in the S24O.

By: Nick Smolinske

Nick Smolinske — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 19:58:00 +0000

My first bikepacking trip was an accidental overnighter. We threw our road bikes on the back of our car with the intent of shuttling ourselves on a backpacking trip, but when we got there the dirt roads were all closed for the winter still. There wasn’t much snow at all so we decided to go out and camp on the Mogollon Rim. It was wonderful! Gorgeous campsite and we had it all to ourselves.

I learned a couple things on that trip. First, riding dirt is sooo much better than pavement. Second, 700c wheels deal with washboards better than 26″ hardtails. Shortly after that I got a 29er and started making bags.

By: Troy Lee

Troy Lee — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 18:53:00 +0000

I just did a two-day trip. It was great. heard wolves at night, no bugs, great food and dark roast coffee. Lakes still frozen! Check out my blog…http://blogs.unbc.ca/unbcmtbtours/2016/03/29/exploring-northern-bc-by-bike/

By: JB

JB — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 01:54:00 +0000

What routes are good in the late winter early spring. I dont mind a little snow, but keeping the hike a bike to a minimum would be nice.

By: Laird Thornton

Laird Thornton — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:58:00 +0000

In reply to Cass Gilbert. Thanks so much! If you find yourself lost outside Vegas again let me know. Ill be happy to help shuttle you back to civilization.

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 14:37:00 +0000

In reply to Laird Thornton.

Laird, I did a nice round out of Las Vegas in the Hermits Peak area once (http://www.whileoutriding.com/bikepacking/lost-and-found-bikepacking-around-hermit-peak-nm) but I’m afraid I don’t have a gpx file for it, and details are a little hazy as we got lost… I bet there’s a ton of fantastic opportunities in the National Forest – though you’ll have to dodge the wilderness. Grab a Santa Fe National Forest map and go from there…

Also, I set up a New Mexico Bikepacking Facebook page which you’re welcome to join: http://www.facebook.com/groups/1633586420254775/

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 16:30:06 +0000

In reply to Laird Thornton.

Also, I set up a New Mexico Bikepacking Facebook page which you’re welcome to join – http://www.facebook.com/groups/1633586420254775/

By: Laird Thornton

Laird Thornton — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 23:18:00 +0000

In reply to Cass Gilbert. I live in New Mexico (Las Vegas specifically), and am looking for a first bikepacking/overnight adventure. I don't suppose you have tips on some NM routes to try? I have been struggling to find many people who are into this activity here/post established routes. Ample singletrack is sadly lacking here...

By: BIKEPACKING.com (Logan)

BIKEPACKING.com (Logan) — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 08:45:00 +0000

In reply to Ben Handrich.

Ben, in case you missed it, also make sure to follow Cass’ Tumblr… awesome stuff: http://whileoutriding.tumblr.com

By: Rob Grey

Rob Grey — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 21:04:00 +0000

the first time i decided to ride (rather than drive) to the trailhead was a revelation; no traffic jams to stress about, didn’t have to worry about leaving valuables in the car, no parking frustration on busy days, and extra time in the saddle, which is what really resonated with me; being able to cover such a distance under my own power and still being able to have fun on the trail. this led to longer and longer rides to farther and farther trails, eventually getting me to the point where there wasn’t enough time in a day to get to where i was hoping to ride. of course, the next logical step was packing enough food and a place to crash at the end of the day to make riding to those farther trails logistically feasible. and poof! my first bikepacking trip was born.

it was so refreshing to have so little to worry about. just ride until i was tired, throw down a pad and a bag, eat dinner and go to sleep, wake up and ride some more. no deadlines, no rush hour traffic, no errands, no one to answer to, just myself, a bike and a trail (and the mosquitoes, but that’s a minor issue). that first trip was a two-nighter over a long weekend, and i have to say it was the most reinvigorating thing. you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the week. not that i’m usually grumpy or starved for the outdoors (i’m a park ranger), but i just felt more positive and productive. it felt like i stumbled into something really special.

traveling by bike is the perfect goldilocks-approved mode of transport, i think. over a given time, you’re able to penetrate deeper into the backcountry than on foot, but not so fast that you miss out on the small things along the way. i’ve attached a photo from a recent trip of an old cabin in or near mount elphinstone park in british columbia. the things you get to see…

anyway, this is getting long-winded. great little article about great little getaways. love those photos, gotta get me back to new mexico soon!

By: Ben Handrich

Ben Handrich — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 15:30:00 +0000

Great tips for planning Cass; S24Os/S48Os are my rides of choice during the school year, seeing as how teaching isn’t exactly conducive to riding more than two days in a row.

On a side note, I hope all of your excellent work on this site doesn’t mean you’ve retired ‘While Out Riding.’ That is(/was?) one of the best bike adventure blogs out there and it would be a shame to see it slowly fade away in the interwebbal ether.

By: Irak Marín

Irak Marín — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 23:50:00 +0000

In reply to Cass Gilbert. Thank you!

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:24:00 +0000

In reply to Irak Marín. All the best for your trip!

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:24:00 +0000

In reply to Mario Angst. Well said. There's a great feeling to be had in getting to know our immediate terrain on a more personal, intricate level. And I love showing people around my local turf too!

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:21:00 +0000

In reply to mikeetheviking. Same for me!

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:20:00 +0000

In reply to Clint. All these pics were taken on an overnighter in New Mexico. The opener is a shot along 31 Mile Road, which descends from 10,400 ft, up in the Jemez Mountains, all the way down onto the desert floor surrounding Española, at 6,000ft.

By: Cass Gilbert

Cass Gilbert — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:17:00 +0000

In reply to Andrew. Sounds delicious. I tend to grab a burrito... but crayfish at a beachside spot sounds perfect!

By: mikeetheviking

mikeetheviking — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:50:00 +0000

This is good stuff. It’s hard to get away for big trips being a dad. But overnighters I can do.

By: Clint

Clint — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 19:39:00 +0000

Is the first photo in Southern Sierra California ? Looks like the Piute mountains where I ride long days…..

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:53:00 +0000

Yes, exactly what I do! Just 10 km up the beach with my dog for a camp out for the night and I come back a better person.
Usually I will take a non camping feast to enjoy in the sunset. Last weekend it was a crayfish (lobster) freshly caught from our local ocean which I shared with 2 hikers who were in the hut where I camped, wonderful times for all of us.
Over nighters are easy to organise and so enriching for the soul.

By: Irak Marín

Irak Marín — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:23:00 +0000

7, 8 and 9 January is my first bike trip, 188 km for the Baja Coast, the only thing i am afraid, the cold.

By: Mario Angst

Mario Angst — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:13:00 +0000

Thanks a lot for this, the opening paragraphs are really powerful and hit the nail on the head. Besides this, the article highlights different aspects of what I believe to be a crucial aspect of these microadventures, namely the sense of place and understanding about our immediate surroundings we can gain if we choose to explore our home turf. Developing a superficial connection to faraway places is in some ways easier than establishing a deeper connection with the tiny piece of land we call home. And besides, we all profit from local knowledge. It enables us to give visitors from faraway places a true local experience and thus paradoxically makes the world even smaller sometimes :).