So a while back there was an article here on RM about some gravity racer guy that changed things up a bit and went on a multi day, unsupported mountainbike trip (at least I hope it was here on RM... I'd hate to get called out for cheating on the monkey!!).
On this adventure the guy was up in BC I believe. He fished for his dinner, camped under the stars and tried to avoid the bears. I was totally inspired... Now I want to do something similar. Maybe not solo though, me and 1-2 others. Though if they flake I may go solo anyway.
I have a place picked out already, Henry Coe state park up in NorCal. So first, some images of my destination:
This is the largest park in CA, and the least visited. I've ridden there before, but only on short (25 mile) day loops that barely get into the interior of the park. The eastern part of the park is VERY remote and there are some lakes/ponds there that only see a handful of visitors every year. Some of them are nearly 25 miles from the enterance and vehicular travel is prohibited except for one day a year. I plan on going a week or two BEFORE that one day. General plan is to spend one day riding into the park, set up camp and spend the second day exploring from my base camp, then on the third day ride back out. The lakes there are full of bass, some trout etc. I have telescopic fishing poles I can bring to catch dinner (or supplement some of the camping meal in a bag things)
So now onto the questions and advice I'm looking for.
Have any of you done anything like this before? Do you have any general advice?
I plan to ride my Spitfire for this adventure... a FS bike that does not have any tabs for bike racks. Was thinking I'd bring a very large day-pack. Do you think that would work, or would it be to heavy/bulky. Advice on tyles of packs to buy/bring?
What about gear? I have a decent Bivy sack already and can buy a backpacking sleeping bag. Weather that time of year is supposed to be daily highs around 70, night time lows around 45. I figure a Bivy and a 40 degree bag would suffice. Seem adequate?
Besides what I list above and of course some sort of water filter, what should I bring? Matches and a striker... Camp skillet, maybe a small stove... Anything else? Plastic bottle with some tequila?
On this adventure the guy was up in BC I believe. He fished for his dinner, camped under the stars and tried to avoid the bears. I was totally inspired... Now I want to do something similar. Maybe not solo though, me and 1-2 others. Though if they flake I may go solo anyway.
I have a place picked out already, Henry Coe state park up in NorCal. So first, some images of my destination:
This is the largest park in CA, and the least visited. I've ridden there before, but only on short (25 mile) day loops that barely get into the interior of the park. The eastern part of the park is VERY remote and there are some lakes/ponds there that only see a handful of visitors every year. Some of them are nearly 25 miles from the enterance and vehicular travel is prohibited except for one day a year. I plan on going a week or two BEFORE that one day. General plan is to spend one day riding into the park, set up camp and spend the second day exploring from my base camp, then on the third day ride back out. The lakes there are full of bass, some trout etc. I have telescopic fishing poles I can bring to catch dinner (or supplement some of the camping meal in a bag things)
So now onto the questions and advice I'm looking for.
Have any of you done anything like this before? Do you have any general advice?
I plan to ride my Spitfire for this adventure... a FS bike that does not have any tabs for bike racks. Was thinking I'd bring a very large day-pack. Do you think that would work, or would it be to heavy/bulky. Advice on tyles of packs to buy/bring?
What about gear? I have a decent Bivy sack already and can buy a backpacking sleeping bag. Weather that time of year is supposed to be daily highs around 70, night time lows around 45. I figure a Bivy and a 40 degree bag would suffice. Seem adequate?
Besides what I list above and of course some sort of water filter, what should I bring? Matches and a striker... Camp skillet, maybe a small stove... Anything else? Plastic bottle with some tequila?