BIKEPACKING - THE BIG FAT QUESTION’s & ANSWERS OF THE YEAR

you asked i answered the big fat question and answers of the year. Thanks for all the questions hope this helps and thanks for the continued support. If you you want to make a route suggestion head to my buy me a coffee page and comment your suggestion here www.buymeacoffee.com/ksmilead...
Support the channel by becoming a member
/ @keepsmilingadventures
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Timestamps
00:00 hows the weather
00:14 intro
00:46 if money was no issue
01:25 sponsored by ginsters
02:15 best southern route
03:31 tempted to get a B&B?
04:58 small pork pies or big ?
05:26 have a tried my steal audax bike
06:06 Fav Welsh ride
07:02 creating my own route?
09:34 will i be full time youtuber in 2024
11:00 new tent ?
13:06 Safe to filter water ?
14:40 Pressure to ride for content
17:00 Do you do any events?
18:12 About the badger divide?
20:20 Keeping everything charged?
20:45 tempted to get panniers?
24:05 Do i get scared camping?
24:58 jaffa cakes or jammie dodgers?
25:37 do i take a stove?
26:45 do i own a car?
27:24 non essential kit i take?
28:17 traveling abroad ?
29:32 managing wet gear?
31:27 moved on while wild camping?
33:22 hygiene ?
35:06 training for GB divide?
37:33 Bike/kit Prep maintenance
40:39 what gearing do i use?
42:05 Why's it sunny in Machynlleth?
42:10 Traveling by train ?
44:05 The most remote pub?
45:02 outro
45:32 Thanks members
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If you enjoy the content on this channel and would like to help the adventures continue then head over to my buymeacoffee page where you can buy me a ginsters if you like :D www.buymeacoffee.com/KSmilead...
The gear i am currently using
The tent - • ALPKIT SOLOIST FINAL T...
Framebag - • BIKEPACKING FRAME BAG ...
Seatpost bag - • TOPEAK BACKLOADER 10L ...
Jones Handlebars - • THE JONES H-BAR - BIKE...
Gravel bike - • SONDER CAMINO UPDATE B...
plus bike mtb - • BOMBTRACK BEYOND PLUS ...
gps device - • GARMN EDGE 830 - LIKES...
mtb shoes - • SHIMANO ME7 FIRST LOOK...
All the gear from GNT - • ALL THE GEAR FROM THE ...
Vest bag - • DECATHLON EVIDICT 10l ...
Ortleib bar roll • ORTLEIB HANDLEBAR ROLL...
Dynamo setup - • BIKEPACKING WITH A DYN...
Questions answered - • KEEP SMILING ADVENTURE...
Gb divide bike/gear- • THE GB DIVIDE - BIKE/G...

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

hello all, hope you had a great new year and thank you for tuning is for another video, today i will be answering all your questions in the most windy Q&A ever. well most of them, there was a lot. If you would like to recommend a route that you would like to see featured on the channel then head over to my buymeacoffee page and you can leave a comment here :www.buymeacoffee.com/ksmileadventure/comment-below As always thanks for watching and supporting the channel, happy new year to all, hope you have a amazing adventure filled year ahead :D

[@KB3Training]

I broke my neck doing downhill mtb in February and thankfully am walking and talking. During my recovery I loved watching your videos and you inspired me to explore and plan a different kind of ride and I love it. Still love downhill but now love exploring too…and it’s less hazardous. Can’t wait to explore Scotland. Have a great year. Thanks again for everything.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Thank you, hope you are recovering well 🤞 happy new year

[@keithphillips7320]

One rarely mentioned element of a good KZbin video is the background music and I've always approved of your choices, exemplified here!

[@alethearobinson8132]

Enjoyed the Q&A. Your videos are stunning and your music choices are the best. Your calm demeanor, even in a raging storm makes us feel like everything will work out. I think your bike set up is just right for you. Everybody has their own style. I am chided for carrying a one pound folding chair. However, when a group of us stops in a woods for lunch and they are searching for a rock or log to sit on. Well, then the chair doesn't look so bad😂. To each their own. Looking forward to 2024. Cheers 🌞🚴‍♀️🖖

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

A chair! I love it 🤣

[@colonelkusanagi2285]

I feel you on the social anxiety front, respect for talking about it so openly

[@slammedmugen]

It's great that you take the time out to do these, thank you. Looking forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for you, happy riding 👍

[@davidedwards4676]

Hey Josh thanks so much for responding to my question about the GB Divide much appreciated. How do we all buy you a coffee and some food when your bike packing think that would be a good gesture from all subscribers. Think it may also be good for you to do a video about how we could all drop you a few quid to support the future of what you do, this is not begging mission but we all love the vidoes so it stands to reason we all want it to continue....lets make it happen subscribers quote me on the idea Josh. Cheers Dave South Wales

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

Hey dave, the best way to support the channel and adventures is ultimately just watch the videos and share them with friends who you think would also like them. If you want to make a donation though i have a buymeacofee page it's in the pinned post or video description, or you can become a member with the join button under the video. Thanks for the support good luck on the GB divide hope you have fun :D

[@ellerybice3787]

So many places to ride, let's start here and go over there.

[@andymcnaughton1969]

I love watching your videos currently watching the Yorkshire dales episode, I love biking myself but I'm amazed at the miles you do my furthest ride ever was 70 miles and took me 6 hours, gave you ever considered riding a trek x caliber 7 for the rides you do that bike would be perfect for you, I have one myself and there's no were that bike hasn't been from Scotland the lakes Cleveland hills etc... really fast and light weight just a thought . looking forward to watching your next adventure, peace.

[@barryjohnson-2858]

Happy new years mate, looking forward to more content this year. Always entertaining to watch and and relaxing viewing at 0200 in the morning 👍

[@robertjohnson3136]

Hi Josh, Happy New Year! Fantastic videos, I especially like the Cairngorms episode, because I live on the edge of the NP and spend a fair bit of time exploring that area on bike and foot. I have done some of the trails you tackled and even in the height of summer you can end up doing a lot of pushing, bringing and swearing when the pedals clip your shins. You picked some of the worst weather we have had this year, glad you found the Force of Avon Refuge.Please keep making videos, you have unique style and content.

[@dave300m7]

I wish I could manage without a sleeping mat, they seem like a pain when packing the bike… however if I didn’t take a super thick one my next stop would be a chiropractor 😂 Looking forward to whatever European adventures you get up to. I did a chunk of the EuroVelo 1 in France in 2023, absolutely fantastic, super easy trails, most of the (few) on-road sections have cycle path, the French are super friendly to cyclists

[@531c]

Happy new year mate. Reeally enjoy your videos, help me relax and just chill. 2021 did LEJOG with my son and we joked love is a Ginsters pastie and a pint of milk on a garage forecourt! Hopefully your enthusiasm will inspire me to cyclo camp/ bikepack. Keep em coming. Thanks👍

[@leeloader5378]

Cracking video 👍 on the racks have a look at the Tailfin products, you would only need one of their axles on each bike then you can swap between bikes as easily as with a rear seat pack, game changer for my bike packing 👌

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thank you that was very interesting. Being both a cyclist and motorcyclist I watched a video of two lads going to the pub you mention and yes your right it was closed and being refurbished. I look forward to watching your future videos and hopefully finances will allow you to travel overseas sometime.

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

I did a few miles of the Traws Eryri on an ebike! I was knackered, you are a god to me 😂

[@Ash12530]

Hi Josh, thanks for answering my question/s (and in depth) about the sleeping pad, or lack of one in your case.. I still don’t know how you do it!? 🤷🏻‍♂️ I just must sleep cold, for instance - I was out on a wild camp the other night, and the temp was hovering around (with a -5 windchill) 0-degrees C, I was sat in my tent feeling really cold, even though I had 3 layers and a down jacket on, so I got in my sleeping bag ‘rated to -2’ whist laying on one of the warmest sleeping pads that money can buy, and yet still couldn’t warm up, so it was then I decided to break out my final secret weapon against the cold, my thermalite sleeping bag liner and a couple of hand warmers, which I threw down to the bottom of my sleeping bag… eventually then I did warm up enough to sleep, thankfully! Glad to hear you also have a new tent to use on your forthcoming adventures. 👍🏻 I also have a Lanshan-1 Plus, with the 4-season inner and T-zip inner doors, really great lightweight option and packs down to literally nothing.. Really loving your channel by the way, and although I don’t ‘bikepack’ myself I am a very keen cyclist and wild-camper, who likes/prefers hiking in to find that perfect spot to spend the night/s away, for that perfect solitude. Cheers - Ash

[@jeztv9014]

Great insight into your thoughts etc 🥳 1. Maybe consider doing a few gravel/audax event's it might help boost your profile & the channel 🤔🤞🤸🙂 2. Regarding rear racks, I've got the Ortlieb quick rack. Easy to swap between bikes and not too expensive. 3. Big respect Awesome efforts 👏☀️🙂

[@richardhughes8811]

Happy new year! Have you ever thought about doing the Tour Divide? Also, what are your thoughts on pinion bikes from a maintenance and reliability point of view on bike packing trips?

[@kenprice1047]

I always enjoy your content! 10/10👌🤙🏼🚵🏻‍♂️ If you were planning a 5 hr bike challenge with lots of water crossings, possibly 20-40* F, what type pants/layers would you recommend? (I’m currently thinking about waterproof socks, and a few layers on my legs that will get wet and dry out quickly while keeping me fairly warm. Thanks in advance

[@dalj4362]

I think you've got your set up down to a T mate, and it works for you. Wish I could ditch the sleeping mat, I hate blowing it up and packing it away. Just a pain tbh. Jaffas ftw, hope you have a great 2024 mate 😊👍

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

happy new year mate hope you have a good one.

[@DanDanNo1]

Have you done Fishguard to Chepstow and Lon Las Cymru? Planning to do these as a fundraiser in late spring. Hoping to cover a minimum of 100km per day.

[@kickjack]

Hey Bro! Sounds like funds are the main pressure at the moment. Considered remote cycling coaching? I'm sure plenty of folks would love a weekly/monthly plan from you to them. Anyways, hope you're dry wherever you are :) - Jack.

[@davidedwards4676]

Ok Josh will get that coffee and Cake over

[@TubeAddict999]

I have a question for the next QnA . . . . why don't you use a front suspension fork please? Say 100mm?

[@andrewcalladine2507]

Are you sponsored by Ginsters, lol, that can't be a serious question.

[@ChaosCrazeGaming]

Hello u ever done Plymouth to Devon

[@jvonemolap0921]

What camera and drone do you use?

[@StephenProffitt]

What camera are you using to shoot this??

[@ChaosCrazeGaming]

Why don't u bike from one end Europe to other so France to Turkey or go to Georgia

[@johnnyloco11]

With the income side the only KZbinrs I know make a significant part from sponsorship - its at least free gear and sometimes travel. It seems like you have enough interest to warrant some. Is there just no interest from companies (now is particularly bad time for the industry) or do you not want to go down that route. Can imagine it's a massive faff.

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

it's complex really because sure free stuff is nice but its not really free, it's a business transaction they want something in return and i know for the most part, most of the people who watch this channel are not really interested in the kit, it's also not the videos i enjoy making. There is also the other part of me that just can't really recommend something i have not personally bought with my own money. I do get offers quite a bit and that's normally the first thing i look at is the price and would i personally buy it, most of the time its no. Ultimately its comes down to what a sponsorship deal looks like at the end of the day. If it would hinder the way i want to make the videos i want to make then i'm happy to keep saying no.

[@weeringjohnny]

​@@KeepSmilingAdventuresQuite right. I watch this channel because of the riding and because it's refreshingly free of gear nerdery. If you can keep it that way and still make a living, good on you.

[@alanarmer8069]

👍👍🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️👍👍

[@brianridley1102]

Had to use the train at a near peak time. Only two bikes possible, a non biking pri*k without a bike sat in the flip seats blocking the bike area We had to get the guard, the guy started ranting and got evicted from the train. That was my first time, very stressful!! 😂😂😂

[@GrahamFootBicycleLover]

Happy new year Josh

[@KeepSmilingAdventures]

happy new year graham

[@alexanderhenshaw3177]

Hey Josh, I sent you a message on insta. Have you ever thought about getting someone to help with filming/editing on your longer tour vids?