Bikerafting the Lower Deschutes River [Our First Time Bikerafting]

Rob and I went on our first bikerafting adventure down the Lower Deschutes River. On Day 1 we rode passed the downed trestles and camped at Macks Canyon. On Day 2 we rode to Beavertail campground where we would put in and float approximately 16-18 river miles. (Class I and Class II).
On day 3 we would raft 14ish river miles and would encounter a few Class III Rapids. We had SO much fun on this trip! Can't wait to do more bikerafting! Hope you guys enjoy the video!
Rob and I were both using Alpacka Caribou packrafts.
00:00 intro
00:37 Day one bike ride
04:39 Day two bikerafting
07:59 Day three bikerafting
09:15 Flip #1 Colorado Rapids
10:23 Flip #2 Rattlesnake Rapids
If you want to get in touch, shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@mvaleri175]

You are awesome man! I have see your editing come such a long way. No one is making videos like you. Your friendship with Rob is incredible.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Seriously means a lot man! Thank you so much for those kind words!!!

[@getlostbrandon]

Great video. Loved the narration leading up to your swims. I am a "water guy" among many other things, but for your swims, what you really needed was a flip line. It's basically a carabiner and a lanyard, you'd clip it onto a D-ring somewhere on your packraft and pull the top over while pushing down. On heavier rafts, you'd climb on top for extra leverage. Raft guides are required to flip their raft 3 times within 2 minutes in moving water for certification. (for comparison of speed)

[@chrisbailey2861]

Chris.....your content is awesome!!! Love the adventures, the editing, the content, the music, the....well you get the point. Sooo well done. Thanks for bringing us along!!!!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Chris!!! Been a while since Rob and I did a bikerafting trip, hope we tackle another one this summer!

[@YetiAdventure]

The combined ramp-up of the music, frantic narration and sketchy river in the Colorado Rapids section is pure art. This was genuinely funny... and as always an excellent adventure. You guys are killing it!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for watching man! Looking forward to your next adventure!!!!

[@brds7638]

These videos are priceless and I am so thankful you make these!!!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thank you!!! Really appreciate that.

[@Sochmo18]

Im planning a packraft fly fishing float for the lower D next summer and this gives me alot of confidence that it will be safe! Thanks man great video!

[@WaywardLifeSailing]

haha your narration in this one just made it. thanks for sharing! love seeing the two camera angles too :)

[@pnwbikepacking]

When I was recording it, the narration felt a little over the top but it was pretty fun for me when it all came together.o. Glad you enjoyed it!! I checked out your channel. You guys do some cool shit, subbed and looking forward to following the stuff you guys do!

[@WaywardLifeSailing]

@@pnwbikepacking thanks! I’m just putting the finishing touches on our first bikepacking video that will be coming out next week. Glad you are interested in our stuff cuz we have watched all your videos 😂

[@ColoradoFamilyof5]

This was one of the funniest videos I've seen you make! You two are awesome thanks for being an inspiration for the rest of us

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thank you!! When i'm making these videos, it can be hard to tell if just I think they are funny or if they are actually funny. Glad at least some other people find it funny! I appreciate all your kind words!

[@chrisaustin8913]

Amazing video, you two have such a special relationship that you capture beautifully through both your filming and narration. I always look forward to your videos they make me smile!😄

[@JakeLuke308]

That was such fun and a great way to mix up a bikepacking trip. Thanks again for the adventure and laughs.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for watching Jason! Rob and I are real keen on mixing things up! Glad. you enjoyed it!

[@artred69]

Brill that fellas😂👍

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks!!

[@North3rdMedia]

Awesome fun watching. Coincidentally we just been on a 2 day pack rafting course and now brought some pack rafts. Good on you for trying the grade 3 and for me seeing it too. Keep bike pack rafting! Love your editing and narrative.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hell yeah dude, just saw that on your channel, going to have to check it out! Thanks for watching!

[@BernhardMasterson]

Super fun to see you and Rob learning new skills. I'd recommend a raft style flip strap on the packraft, loaded they are a bear to turn over when you are swimming.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for the feedback! Given you're a boater, let me know if you have any good suggestions for where to learn paddling skills! I may even consider signing up for some kind of course, just don't see many packrafting specific courses (and maybe Kayaking course is close enough?)

[@BernhardMasterson]

@@pnwbikepacking paddle skills transfer very well from hard shell, to polo, to ocean kayaking, to pack rafting. Alder Creek Kayak offers WW courses, but I don't know if they require hard shells. My experience is that I learn something every time I paddle with others.

[@kenprice1047]

Awesome! You two are crazy! Thanks for doing this trip!

[@pnwbikepacking]

This was a super fun trip for us! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tatakiz]

Very nice and full of smiles video. And the coolest way to clean your bikes. Have fun guys

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for watching! Bikes were clean! I just need to remember to lube the chain!

[@kenlind9321]

Great video 😂

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Ken, this was such a memorable trip for us!

[@joecorrea28]

Awesome job tying all down to not lose anything (other than Rob's hat) in those rapids. Looked like a great adventure. Thanks for sharing. Great video as usual.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Joe! Yeah the bikes are really easy to strap down on these rafts! Rob just needed to wear a helmet over his hat like I did 🤣. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PumpkinVillage]

That was amazing. Nice job. Glad everyone made it thru. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for watching Al! I am also glad we survived with everything in one piece!

[@scottsugimoto8223]

Loved this. Your content is GREAT !!!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Scott!

[@woodycarr]

That was fun to watch! Great adventure!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for watching!

[@terryfales3371]

Great video!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Terry!

[@Se0what]

Cheering so hard during this whole video!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hah thanks for watching! Thanks for rooting for us!

[@corrineleistikow]

Great video! Sounds like it was an adventure!

[@pnwbikepacking]

It was!! thank's for watching!

[@michaelp1109]

Wow!!! Very impressive! Congrats guys.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Michael!

[@Jaysus145]

Those beers look awesome and very well deserved!

[@pnwbikepacking]

hah yes they were! Thanks for watching!

[@amineroadbikerider1504]

as we all expected what an amazing video man . you made some very good memories there . thanks for sharing

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hahh thank you so much! I really appreciate that.

[@kylesmith4653]

Good times boys!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mswarrior932]

Great video!! That looked like a lot of fun!!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Stuart, we had so much fun on this trip!

[@mswarrior932]

@@pnwbikepacking awesome!! You should keep it up!! Maybe take some long bikerafting trips!! Multi-day at least!! 😁 👍

[@mikeinhoodriver]

Awesome!! I'm a "water guy" and I dont think I would do the Deschutes in that small of raft 😬

[@pnwbikepacking]

Haha thanks for watching Mike. Yeah we may have been in over our heads a little on this one. You get good judgement by surviving bad judgment… doesn’t mean it was a good idea though. We’re sticking to easier water for now!

[@maximuscalamus7944]

Nice work boys. We'll done.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Maximus!@

[@richardreed6249]

I would love to see a video on how you loaded the bike onto the raft and what you did with the rest of your stuff.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hey Richard, check out our video of the Klickitat here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKGxgYp8i7p7hq8 (Starting at 10:49) we load up our gear. This may kind of show you what we did. The rafts that Rob and I got allow us to stash gear inside the boats. So most of the gear is in the boat.

[@shayneb3327]

Hope them bikes have sealed bearings. What a trip! 🤟🏻

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hah, I think all the bearings are sealed!! Thanks for watching dude!

[@fredwells_pnwdad]

Yet another amazing edit men!! Truly inspiring. Can’t wait for the video. It’s late but this has made me want to go visit my bike in the garage!!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Heck yeah! That's what it's all about getting people stoked to go ride bikes! Thanks for watching Fred!

[@fredwells_pnwdad]

@@pnwbikepacking One of these days I want to meet up and do a ride with you guys! Heck, it just got added to my bucket list!!! Happy trails Chris and Rob! Cheers!

[@jamieroszel]

Man, this seems like it was such a great experience - way to try something new. Googling pack rafts now...

[@pnwbikepacking]

Woo! They aren't cheap! There may be some places to rent them to try it out and make sure you like it! Going swimming in the heat sure beats a gravel ride in the heat hah!

Nice! I just order a Kokopelli, hoping to get out and do some bikerafting this summer! I'm up here in Oregon, so there's no shortage of adventures!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Nice! Yeah I hope to do a handful of bikerafting trips in 2023! Maybe i'll run into you! What part of Oregon are you in?

@@pnwbikepacking I'm the Gresham / Troutdale area. And Work at Next Adventure in Sandy a few days a week.

[@thebiglimey]

Great video, love to see more people getting excited about packrafting! Just remember that pedal, my last trip I made it 4 days before I realized I'd dropped my pedal at the put in! In the frame bag it should go.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Andy! Such good advice! ALWAYS IN THE FRAME BAG! ALWAYS IN THE SAME SPOT! I've been trying to discover new bikerafting routes, willing to travel.. you have any beta for me!?

[@thebiglimey]

@@pnwbikepacking Glad I could help! There are a few Oregon coastal route ideas I'm working on that I'd love to share when I'm back from my next big adventure. I've only been up in the PNW for a bit over 2 years and barely scratched the surface of the options here! DM me and we can connect via email etc, I'd love to share routes, and maybe some of my other stupid bike bikepacking related ideas!

[@tkmadventures4965]

Awesome!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks!

[@theoutdoorsycrew1749]

Great stuff guys really enjoyable. I always wanted to try packrafting but after watching ye two get swallowed by the river I'm having second thoughts. Love the concept I hope ye do more of these kind of trips in the future very entertaining. Keep it up.

[@pnwbikepacking]

As always, thanks for watching man! You could still give packrafting a whirl and just go on something a bit more tame! I'll have a new bikerafting video dropping shortly and it is WAY more chill! Looking forward to some new content from you!

[@RobParker8]

Damien, you should do this! I can’t really put in words how much fun I had on this trip! Seems like there is a lake or river in every one of your videos. You live in the right place. Chris is right. I’d probably start with something a bit more chill. Cheers! 🍻

[@theoutdoorsycrew1749]

Thanks for the advice guys I'll consider the bikerafting, in fairness the two of you have peaked my interest in it. I'll wait and watch the new video when it comes out the more "chill" version before I commit. I have some new stuff coming out soon I have done the trips but just haven't made the video been so busy lately. Looking forward to the vid from you guys always have to watch them on the big screen when they come out, sit back, relax and enjoy. Thanks for the great content guys, you make em and I'll watch them 👍 😉

[@chrissd08]

‘I think you should just ride your bikes instead’ quote of the year!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Haha, it was so funny when she said that. She was appalled at what we were doing!

[@playingintheband442]

Yes you are awesome,enjoy!

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks!!!

[@ElDiabl0187]

That was cool

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks David!!!

[@albert85b]

That was really cool! I do not know how you manage to carry so much stuff, let alone camera gear and a drone. What I’m really wondering though, is how does a Brooks saddle and a steel frame cope with going for two swims in a river?!

[@jimmccorison]

Such a great, fun video. You both have so much fun, and we get to share it with you. BTW, I'd say 28 pounds for the raft and paddle.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Jim! It was a fun video to make, glad other people are enjoying it. We never weighed the pack... but i I had to guess it was less than 20 hahah! Rob was just being weak!

[@jimmccorison]

@@pnwbikepacking Less than 20 pounds is pretty amazing. People keep telling me to go soak my head. Maybe that's the best way.

[@ellerybice3787]

The section of trail "mile 19" or so is truly a tough part to traverse. Should we pray that it stay that way, or should the missing trestles be rebuilt. I would like it too see it stay difficult. Helps keep the Rift-Raft happy.

[@simplerol]

im up in summit county if ya wanna raft great edit

[@HunterTravels]

I finally hit some class three rapids on my Alpaca raft went for a swim but didn’t have my bike on it sure was fun though.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hahah heck yeah! I am so excited to get out and do more with these packrafts!

[@davidreadbikes]

Great video! You guys have inspired me to try this. What type of bike-raft did you get? And are you able to fill it with a bike pump? Thx.

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks for watching David. If you haven't done any swift water stuff before, I HIGHLY recommend that you start with some Class I water. I DO NOT advise that you do class II or III if you have no experience. The rafts we are using are made by a company called Alpacka and the model is the Caribou. A bike pump will NOT work with these, but they come with a sack you use to inflate them and once you get the hang of it, it's really quite quick. Hope this helps!

[@davidreadbikes]

@@pnwbikepacking Thanks so much - yes, we would start with very calm waters! Likely a lake for my family!

[@ChrisJBrown72]

So question… do you remove the lower pedal?

[@thinshadow]

How's your saddle holding up after that dunking? I think you and I have the same one (Selle Anatomica?) and I'm always unsure about how much I should worry about it getting wet. Seems like you gave yours the ultimate water test 🤣

[@pnwbikepacking]

It’s doing great! I apply a leather treatment to it like… twice a year… I should probably do it again after that dunk. I don’t baby it at all, it’s been soaked in the rain, obviously flipped upside down in the water … it’s still going strong after 4+ years. In my experience this saddle it tough, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

[@thinshadow]

@@pnwbikepacking thanks for the reply! I haven’t treated mine since right after I got it, well over a year ago, so I should probably do that. I live in Arizona where usually the water encounters are pretty rare, but we’re having a decent monsoon season this summer so I’ve actually run into rain a few times in the past few month or so.

[@jamieroszel]

"and prove to no one that we were real bike rafters" 🤣

[@pnwbikepacking]

😁

[@fkitbaylife902]

Love you guys wish I still lived in beavercreek so I could hook up with you if you’re ever in the phoniex az area look me up

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hah for sure! There is some cool shit around Phoenix. That area is on my short list for fall/winter! If we end up heading that way ill hit you up!

[@olshamus]

But did Rob manage to save the crocs?

[@RobParker8]

My Crocs stayed on! The only thing lost was my new $18 hat from Fred Meyer. Ha!

[@EndUser-yu7gg]

there has to be easier ways to clean your bike

[@pnwbikepacking]

Hah, yeah also didn't really need to clean it twice!

[@nachosanchez9386]

I love your adventures, guys! Keep it up

[@pnwbikepacking]

Thanks Nacho!! Love hearing that people are liking the videos!