Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

Will pick up a bug net!

Learned a lot on my first ever bike packing adventure:

1. Don't do it with a mate preparing for the tcr
   
2. Look a the temperature and pack accordingly (surprisingly a bivvy, 15 degree sleeping bag and liner was too much for West Ireland in summer, posted my sleeping bag home on day 2)
   
3. Irish coffees here are generally made with poitín and not whiskey but they make for a great night cap
   
4. Bring bug spray or a bug net
   
5. Ditch the carbon road shoes and bring spd shoes that can double up as off the bike footwear
   
6. Don't do it with a mate preparing for the tcr
   
   

I joke about 1 and 6, he took it easy on me most of the time apart from the last stretch as we were on a busy road, he dragged me into town at 40kmph.

If anyone ever has time to spare and nowhere to go, I can highly recommend the wild Atlantic way in Ireland, it is stunning! And there is 40km of #groad from Achill island to Westport.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWLE6gGg7qV/