Overnight Bikepacking Shakedown Ride

I planned to do at least one shakedown overnight tour with my Camino bike setup, and decided to bike to a family campout south on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Peaks of Otter to see some new landscape near my hometown of Harrisonburg, VA. Although I’ve spent months touring with racks and panniers, this was the first time I had used bike packing bags and a bike as robust as my new Surly Troll.

Below are a few photos from the trip, as well as lessons and observations to prep for my Camino ride.

Day 1:  Harrisonburg to Douthat State Park: 83 miles, 4550’ feet climbing (Strava)

 

I slept in and ended up leaving at 11:15am, but still got in in good time before 7.

I was pretty tired around 50 miles as it was a gradual climb, but then felt stronger and pushed into the park. I saw a dirt track heading into the George Washington National Forest right before the Douthat State Park boundary. So I filled up my water and turned around to find a perfect primitive site in the National Forest next to the stream, with even a swimming hole to rinse off and cool down.

Random Lessons & Observations

• I had a headwind most of the day, but the bike packing setup cuts through much better than panniers. The bike handled very well, much more like an unloaded bike.
• Front derailleur rubs the frame bag a little at the lower corner. Will try to tape it up to soften as it was looking a little worn there
• As my handlebar bag had not yet arrived, I used a stuff sack with a daisy chain and compression straps to lash my tent to the underside of my Jones loop bar, and a bargain in comparison to the bike packing specific handbag roll bags.
• Used seat bag as a bear bag to hang food overnight, worked well and was about the right size
• Used the Nat Geo maps in the tent to protect the sleeping pad as forgot the tent footprint
• Could have brought less dinner
• Made a pillow from stuff sacks and random items. As I was super light, most of what remained was the rain jacket
• Very hot and humid, wouldn’t have needed the sleeping bag (summer 45F), could have just had a liner
• Xero shoes seem to work great so far as a lightweight alternative to Chacos (3X lighter). Glad I didn’t only have bike shoes
• Pretty route, would be very beautiful in the fall with changing colors
• Bike seemed to work well, shifting was smooth after yesterday’s adjustments.  I still need to adjust the brakes some more on the brakes
• My calves might have touched the frame bag sometimes, but didn’t seem like a big deal.
• Glad to have tent with mosquitos
• Phone only dropped about 30% battery after recording full day with Gaia GPS. Garmin Fenix watch around half full. Anger charger could get me through 3 days, depending on how much I use Internet on my phone
• Glad to save $31 by wild camping, will get a big breakfast tomorrow somewhere. Should be just more than half the distance of today, but a similar level of climbing
• Foldout keyboard works well, would be easier if I had a desk or table, not laying on my stomach in the tent
• Troll handles great on dirt roads. It offers a lot of confidence compared to other bikes, beefy 2.15” tires and disc brakes help a lot
• Summer bugs can be super loud
• I think if I was bike packing in colder weather or for multiple days that I’d need to consider front panniers or a backpack or more capacity. Seems like it would be hard to carry a lot of food for remote touring like this.

Day 2: Douthat State Park to Peaks of Otter campground: 53 miles, 4400’ feet climbing (Strava)  

Thankfully every day on my Camino itinerary should be easier than each of these, with shorter distances and less weight on the bike. I should be good to go. 🙂