Bikepacking for beginners | The essential guide

[@laistomazz]

I don't comment often, but I want to pass by and thank you for the effort of making and putting out this video for beginners like me, I particularly like the way you give advise without coming across as judgemental like you often see here on KZbin. Enjoy your adventures!

[@mike-coles]

Thank you for kind comments. Much appreciated.

[@faith_yar]

This is the best video I’ve seen on bike packing. Thank you so much for covering safety - something I hadn’t thought of in the same way. Thanks Mike

[@jimmccorison]

Never underestimate the value of a comfortable camp chair. At 66, and with some surgical repairs to my lower spine, comfort is paramount. My chair goes in my top bag on my rear rack. It's one of the first things out, and the last to be put away. Good video and some good suggestions. Thank you.

[@MTTBIKEPACKER]

Great information for bike parkers, thanks for sharing ❤

[@crobbw]

I love the easy going nature of your delivery, editing, and background music. Nicely done and very informative. I’m 66 and about to get back into bike packing after 30 years or more since my last trip I hope I can be as laid back about it as you are!

[@mike-coles]

Thanks for your kind comments. I love getting out into nature and enjoying what is around me. I hope these videos convey some of that joy. 👍

[@andrzejplocki6438]

Great video. I live in the UK, so your setup would be a right shambles here, but the principals are bang on, great stuff.

[@MrTullyblue]

thanks great vid, i'm about the same age, just got new bike (KONA Unit X) and starting from scratch, need to get fit and loss a lot of kgs - it hurts but fun trying

[@ozziejim8472]

Hardtail, nice! I test rode a ‘touring bike’ the other day, the one take away was ‘I was never getting anything with solid forks!’ The jarring on my wrists and hands was not good.

[@grantt670]

Thanks Mike for your videos and the encouragement you give those of us over 60. This, your latest showed your gear, can you do one on how you go about planning your trip, what maps, or phone applications you would recommend for someone starting out, especially on a budget.

[@mike-coles]

Good idea. 👍

[@korycavanagh]

Helpful. Thank you

[@ianccrook8899]

Very good stuff Mike. Good content for beginners. Like the bike. Cramps. Ugh. Two points. Hydrolyte tabs in your drink bottle/s. Plus, Magnesium tablets. Works for me.

[@mike-coles]

Thanks! Hydralite/electrolytes are a staple for me too, especially when it’s hot.

[@petert8931]

Great video and I really wish I saw this video 2 months ago! Still, it's not too late! Thank you!

[@danb8293]

Its always a treat when one of your new videos appears - thanks!

[@mike-coles]

Ha ha! Thanks.

[@rex758]

I like the comment @laistomazz made. it says all. I have been a part-time hiker for the last 35 years and not long ago I got into Biking and now looking for bike-packing. Soon I will retire at 66 (7 months ) and will fulfill my dreams of taking long journeys, I got my bike ready for the last 6 years, and have been watching a lot of KZbinrs like yourself, and few are what I call "realistic" comments and you cover the topics and very resourceful information. for the last 5 years I have been commuting to work on a bike 5 miles and going home 16 miles, I felt great and lost “62” LBS. I live in Miami Florida, and is one of the most "not so friendly" places for bike riders, hope one day that change. Thank you and I’m grateful for your videos.

[@catesearson9821]

Good video thanks, kept nice and simple. Only comment is please please pack a couple of snake bandages and a PLB, especially for summer camping in Australia. Cheers 👍

[@mauricetangredi8237]

Another great video Mike, very informative and interesting.

[@jugglematt100]

Great video thanks , its nice to so other older guys out there overnighting on bikes . Looks like a beautiful part of the world. My parand i are both in our 50s and only came into cycling i the last 5 or 8 years . We started doing overnight trips on the Victorian rails and now we just love it . Where both on dual sus ebikes . Our favorite is touring on quiet gravel roads staying in small town motels and pubs . What an awesome way to explore .

[@tiemanmalcolm]

Great video, thank you, 😊

[@amandawildy135]

Great video Mike!

[@lollygirlism]

Love your videos Mike, than you for posting

[@mikehzz9848]

Thanks Mike, I like your stuff. Cheers.

[@Dutcharmytent]

Another great video, if you get a chance to show us a map of your location , I would find it extremely interesting and it would add even more interest.

[@jimbo4203]

The Ferry beats swimming across All day ! 😊

[@MrRamkulov]

Thanks for making this video

[@Fat_Tire_Fan]

Well done!

[@grumpy-dad3701]

Great informative video. New subscriber Eating and drinking is really important. I definitely don't drink enough water or eat enough during my rides. I tend to push on. Never have breakfast. Will snack if I find a shop. Camping in good weather is fantastic, Hearing becomes superhuman at night

[@mike-coles]

I hate zipping up my tent; I want to hear and see if there’s anything or anyone near me at night. At this time of year, the nighttime weather is glorious here 👌

[@grumpy-dad3701]

@@mike-coles my first trip. I had something sniffing around the tent around 2am. I swear I could also hear car doors slamming shut and people's voices in the distance. The idea of people coming across my camp is a little unnerving but that's part and parcel of wildcamping.

[@OutdoorVeluwe]

You need try Ortlieb Forkpacks

[@grumpy-dad3701]

Anyone who is considering bikepacking, I can only say get out and do it. I've been on 2 bikepacking trips both around 125 mile loop over 2 nights. Tent cost £25, sleeping bag £20, sleeping Matt around £20. Small gas stove and gas £25ish. Panniers and pannier bag most expensive around £70+ It's tough, sometimes I thought about giving up, but that feeling when you complete a ride even a small 1 is something else. I've explored more on my bike in the past 2 years than I did the 45 years before.

[@lisahamilton5191]

What stove are you using? I’m a horse pack sadder so I carry a jetboil but would like to go lighter when I start bike packing. Thanks for sharing your experiences 😊

[@mike-coles]

Later today I will have a new video with a review of my new stove; the MSR PocketRocket 2 which is truly tiny.

[@lisahamilton5191]

@ thank you I will look out for that 😊

[@Numbers4008]

Great work.. I wonder how much gear ( minus bike) weighted.

[@mike-coles]

That weight varies quite a bit depending on the type of trip I’m doing and then during the trip as I gather or consume food and water. I’d guess roughly 10kg including racks and bags would be a rough guess.

[@ajlongworth69]

Hey mate the filtered water was that out of the lake? Nice and peaceful out there isn't it, my great grand father Harry Legge founded Legges camp so I've done a lot of exploring up there❤

[@mike-coles]

No, I got the water from the toilets. Assuming it was rain water and a bit of a tank, I filtered that. The signs say “not drinkable” but I figured it would be okay with filtration 👍

[@ajlongworth69]

@mike-coles lol that's game. As long as it doesn't smell as its rainwater just with no filtration

[@nathanjsimpson]

Hi Mike, I have looked back at some of your older videos and see that you were once riding a dual suspension bike. What was the reason for the change? Wasn’t it suitable for the type of activities you are doing? It seemed to cope ok, as did you, for the 4 day ride out of Gulgong. I’ve been arguing with myself about whether a dual suspension or hardtail is the way to go. I’d like to do fire trails and single track and the occasional MTB park trail (but no crazy jumps). I was looking at BikesOnline but your Canyon got me thinking about other brands. As the Canyon bikes aren’t available in stores, how did you find the sizing process? Were the website numbers right for you? I’m normally an M but for Canyon an S. I was hoping for a 29er” but the S comes in 27.5. If I go the Canyon way I’d be hesitant to risk buying against their sizing guide. Anyway, I'm just after your thoughts about how you went from dually to hardtail and the whole Canyon thing. Enjoying your videos. Keep them coming.

[@mike-coles]

Thanks for the kind words. That four day ride out of Gulgong is what convinced me to change from dual suspension to hard tail. Full squish is lovely on rowdy single track when you’re hurtling downhill, but it’s not so great as a touring bike with bags. You lack power on the hills, you have less places to strap stuff and it has a lot of extra weight. Don’t misunderstand me; I still own my Giant Trance, I just don’t use it for bikepacking (and bikepacking videos). The 29 inch wheels are lovely and smooth, but 27.5 will do just as well, especially if you’re buying a small frame bike. All bikes are a compromise, you can’t do everything easily on just one. For me? I’m like the gravel roads and firetrails, so I committed to a highly focused bike. Good luck with your choice! Maybe buy one of each? And a touring bike, and an e-bike, oh wait; that’s me!

[@Bikepacking]

Xt gearing is good

[@MrTullyblue]

Hi mike, i watch this again last night and disicide this will be my first overnight trip (maybe 2 nights). Q. what is parking like down at Bombah point? or would in be best to ride in from Bulahdelah? i have locked this ride in for end of next month, Cheers John

[@mike-coles]

I parked outside the park/toilets at Buladelah and cycled the 15km. It’s generally flat. Pretty sure you could overnight park at Bombah Point and then it would only be four or five Kms. Lovely time of year to go, but be ready for mosquitoes (long sleeves, spray) they can be pretty savage at times!

[@MrTullyblue]

@@mike-coles ride completed 13 km in about 16 km out with minor detour - suited my fitness level - great place for my 1st overnight trip, got there Thursday to beat the long weekend crowd, LOL i'm a old dinosaur, had no idea that i need to per book and pay for camping site, lucky, i phoned my son who arrange payment for thursday night. thank you so much Mike, look forward to more videos 👍

[@mike-coles]

I think I saw your photos on Facebook? I’m pleased you enjoyed the trip, it’s such a beautiful part of the country.

[@thomasbryant9002]

That's definitely share-worthy.

[@Bikepacking]

Cool

[@OsBalangoso]

What brand/model of helmet?🇧🇷

[@mike-coles]

That’s a Fox helmet. I think it’s called Fox Frame or Mainframe? It’s the non-mips version.

[@Bikepacking]

Where you put your food

[@mike-coles]

As it was an overnighter, my food was dehydrated and sat in the top of one of the pannier bags.

[@johnrobertd748]

Bikepacking, or bike touring?

[@mike-coles]

This is bikepacking, but I do both.

[@43cleaner]

It looks a brilliant place to do a bike camp.

[@mike-coles]

It is lovely. There are many spots around the Myall Lakes which are like this, but the remote access makes this one particularly good.