Life In The Saddle

As cycling culture evolves, and adventure riding  becomes a more mainstream activity, it is interesting to watch the development of new 'bikepacking apparel' and adventure specific riding kit. The truth though, is that adventure riding and bikepacking are just cycling combined with other well-known outdoor pursuits, such as camping, hiking and mountaineering. As such, it may well be that kit from those pursuits can be re-purposed and utilised on your bikepacking adventures — reducing the amount of kit you need to buy, and the effect of doing so on the planet. In this blog post, I have selected two of my favourite pieces of outdoor apparel, both of which are fantastic for bikepacking adventures: the Rab Electron Pro Lightweight Down Gilet and the Rab Power Stretch Pro Pull-On Mid-Layer. Review – Rab Electron Pro Lightweight Down Gilet A lightweight down jacket has featured in my bikepacking kit list  since my first tours, but switching it out for a down gilet is a more ...

I have been searching for the perfect bikepacking shelter. Is it a tent, a tarp, a hammock, or a shelter? The truth is that any one of these could be the ideal bikepacking shelter choice, depending on the conditions that you are camping in. In sweltering summer heat, a hammock or inner tent only might be the best solution. For a fast pitch, a shelter or tarp may suffice as protection from the elements. Then, in more severe conditions, a fully clad two-layer tent (ideally with a porch to stow your kit) would be the best solution. The Adventure Beluga is a new style of modular shelter from the French brand Qaou Outdoor, which offers an incredibly versatile and adaptable tent—capable of being all the above named variations, without compromise. In the package you receive an inner tent, plus two outer material layers, pegs, poles, and a hammock hanging system. Here is what it can create: 1) All-weather tent with porch: zip the two outer layers together, use the inner tent and poles, an...

When Ortlieb released the Back Roller Classic Rear Pannier they set the standard for waterproof bike bags; it has always seemed like other brands are playing catch-up in their wake. With the phenomenal growth of bikepacking in recent years, the German brand has turned their attention to the rack-less (not reckless) world of adventure cycling. The Ortlieb Seat Pack brings to bikepacking what the Back Roller Classic did for cycle touring; it is a faultlessly designed, fully waterproof, yet beautifully simple product. Over the last year I have been testing the Ortlieb Seat Pack on everything from shopping errand runs to multi-day bikepacking adventures. It has performed superbly, time and time again. While other brands have integrated metal frames and complex strap systems into their bikepacking seat packs, Ortlieb have adopted the KISS (Keep It Simply Stupid) approach to the Seat Pack. Rugged webbing strap and clamp-close buckles do not slip or break, but hold the bag securely under...

On my previous long distance bike tours, I have always used a dry bag stuffed with clothes as my camp pillow, but on my recent #NorthWestRoad trip my touring partner had a lightweight inflatable camping pillow; he convinced me it was worth the additional weight—providing you with a better night's sleep and less of a sore neck and shoulders when you remount your bike the following morning. The search started for the best lightweight camping pillow for bikepacking. The results led me to the impressive range from Sea to Summit, and I decided to trial the most lightweight inflatable camping pillow within the range: the Aeros Ultralight Pillow (size Large) , as well as the most luxurious within the range: the Aeros Down Pillow (size Deluxe) . Review – Aeros Ultralight Pillow The Aeros™ Ultralight Pillow is designed to be superlight, compact and comfortable. Made from durable 20D laminated polyester, the pillow has a curved shape to fit around your shoulders whether you are sleepin...

The #NorthWestRoad is a three day micro-bikepacking adventure. Starting in Lymington on the South Coast, it will take in the English regions of the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire hills, before heading into Wales through the Wye Valley and up to the Shropshire Hills; the micro-adventure ride will then finish in the city of Manchester. The route promises to be varied and challenging route, with daily mileages in the region of 180 kilometres—mostly on small country lanes and B-roads. This is the kit that I have personally selected for this micro-adventure bikepacking tour... Luggage and Camping Kit Arkel Orca 25 Small Waterproof Panniers Prototype Frame-bag BTR Waterproof Wedge Saddlebag BTR Deluxe Pannier Rack Top Bag Nordisk Telemark 1 LW Lightweight Tent Rab Neutrino 400 Down Sleeping Bag Vaude Performance Sleeping Pad Rab Incline Light Lightweight Casual Shorts Rab Infinity Microlight Down Jacket GripGrab Merino Tee Polygiene PackTowl Microfibre Towel OverBoard Waterproof Bags  ...

Think of Carradice, and images of the classic Nelson Saddlebag probably come to mind—the original waxed cotton canvas bag found on audax bikes for decades. The British brand have also been quietly creating a range of bikepacking saddlebags and handlebar bags though; using their knowledge of fabrics, and timeless trustworthy design; they have created some simple but superbly made pieces of bikepacking luggage. The Carradice Bikepacking Handlebar Bag is a 3.5 litre cannister style handlebar bag, made from 1000 denier military grade Cordura® fabric. The handlebar bag is simple in design: it has one main compartment with a water-resistant zipper, and a buttoned flip-over lid to keep out the worst of the weather (this bag is not fully waterproof). There is an additional zippered pocket on the top of the lid for smaller valuables. The bag attaches to your handlebars (road or mountain bike) using strong webbing straps with foam spacers to avoid it interrupting your grip on the bars. Add...