Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/cockpit/Jerrycan

A fantastic short trip.

St Fillans to Killin on the Friday night, excellent camp spot by River Dochart.

Saturday, Killin up to Glen Lyon via Lochy road then around Tay Forest, Dull and Weem woods, lots of climbing and gravel. Then beer, swim and camp by River Tay at Aberfeldy.

5 Attachments

Sunday was up to Glen Quaich off road, then Sma Glen into Crieff and Lady Mary's walk and other small paths back to St Fillans.

5 Attachments

Can supply more details if anyone wants the route, off road stuff was all excellent.

4 Attachments

Beautiful photos! What was the elevation profile like?

I miss Scotland!

looks amazing. was the swim not freezing

Got a strava/komoot link for it, sir?

Recognise lots of it but not a lot of it also.

Looks amazing!

Friday evening: https://www.komoot.com/tour/375220032?ref=atl

Saturday: https://www.komoot.com/tour/375695915?ref=atd

Sunday: https://www.komoot.com/tour/375774549?ref=atd

Also watch out for this bridge if your tyres are less than 45c......

https://youtu.be/677H5Foclbw

It was lumpy. Less than 1:1 needed if you're carrying weight.

@cozey swims were freezing but also amazing, proper child like joy :)

Oof!

Bit of a moonshot but did you sell these in the end?

Yes, to everyone's favourite drunkard ultraracer.

You snooze (decide last minute to cycle home from Norway) you lose

.

Hiya, would anyone (preferably east london based) be willing to lend me for a couple of days (2) a frame bag (ca. 10 l) and a saddle bag (ca. 14 l). I'd like to have a go at bikepacking this year and I'm not sure wheteher I'm able to fit all my crap into such small bags; I've only done full pannier touring before.

pannier racks are back

Don't get why rear racks/panniers are so maligned. Some of the mid-pack I see in Ultra races seem to have such overflowing amounts swinging from the saddle/handlebars. I've never tried it, but it often looks odd. Why not go to a rack and Ortliebs and have space to shove in more 7 day croissants? 🤷

let them be maligned so I can score those sweet Tubus bargains on ebay

i think the argument against them is twofolds;

they rattle off road

you cant install racks on all bikes like a carbon road bike

Or full suspension bikes.

I think people wanting to use dropper seatposts has led to a resurgence in rack usage. Not necessarily with panniers though

Fair points.