Bikepacking - a viable alternative to racks & panniers

I'm borrowing that Whitstable route. Would probably pick it up around Otford but everything further East is new to me. Cheers!

Sweet! It's a stunner, some lovely proper Kentian pubs on the way, hops strung across the bar etc and nice gardens. The Neptune on the beach in Whitstable is an institution, always seem to have good live music when I go and great atmosphere on a Friday night...

Noted! Again, many thanks!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13924004

This is the rough idea I drafted, I never rode 70% of this, tips on what to avoid/what not to miss?

I rode a similar route this weekend, some details here. Shame to miss the cuckoo trail as that's a really lovely 11 mile stretch of converted train track with good tarmac surface. Nice to get away from the traffic for a bit. If you want charming country pubs with lovely gardens, I'd also strongly recommend this place in Old Heathfield: http://www.starinnoldheathfield.co.uk/ Lewes is also very nice and worth a trip if you were looking for somewhere to stay with charm and great pubs. Recommend this place. Alfriston's very quaint - you can actually walk your bikes over the bridge into the center of the village (marked South Downs Way) which is a nice little short cut. I'd stay off the A22 and take the smaller roads to the North, it's not a particularly pleasant road. Probably try and avoid the A229 on the way down if your gf isn't a keen cyclist, it's not much fun being closely passed at 50mph by large vehicles...

Wonderful suggestions!

I will amend the route to incorporate the cockoo trail, looks really nice! As I said, it's a route I drafted quickly last night, I will edit it further to avoid as many A roads as possible.

As far as pubs and places to eat/drink, I'll pin em on the map, but we'll have to play it by the ear to account for weather and legs tiredness..

Cool, it's a really beautiful part of the world, sure you'll have a great time.

Abandoned today, cough has travelled to the chest, and after two hours of solid rain I had to give in and get a train to the next destination. Weather looks bad for the rest of the week too.

Sick of making excuses and don't want to let another summer pass me by. Looking to do a few overnighters imminently and perhaps some longer weekend trips... Will be on the road 80% / packed gravel 20%, camping, probably on my own, four days maximum.

I already have: Bike (Cannondale CAADX, 105), Alpkit Airlock Dual 13l, Alpkit Airlock Tapered 13l.

I need recommendations for: Lightweight basic tent to sleep two people, sleeping mat, sleeping bag suitable for European spring, summer and autumn.

Budget ideally as low as possible, sub-£150 for the lot.

Thanks!

There is a tent thread that will have more advice. Maybe a decathlon tent though? or 2nd hand ebay.

Snugpak travelpak 2 sleeping bag, or just wear your clothes.
Maybe try borrow a tent. Lots of people have spare. Or just buy a bivi bag.
Bivi bags are fucking liberating.

Just a small contribution from me, but I would probably avoid riding up Westerham Hill. It's a fairly busy road and not much fun having cars overtaking frequently along a narrow carriageway when you're struggling up a 12% gradient. Any of the hills just to the East would be more pleasant, if just as steep: Hogtrough, Brasted and Sundridge Hill, or Star Hill a little further over.
If it was me I'd either go up Brasted or Sundridge Hill, then through Knockholt and along Grays Lane before picking up the route again towards Biggin Hill. Or if you still wanted to go along that section of the Pilgrim's Way (and it's a very nice hedge-lined country lane) take a small detour involving the A25 through Brasted itself, come along the Pilgrims Way in the other direction.

I always quite liking Westerham weirdly, it's one of the few proper steady climbs in those parts

I prefer coming down it! A couple of weeks ago I was about 45 miles into the ride back from Eastbourne, with a pannier, I think it was a bad hay fever day and the car fumes were a bit more noticeable than usual.

What a weekend!

Final route below (roughly):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13955087

Perfect weather, beautiful route and wonderful places.

Pros:

• Leaving at night to get out of London before it gets dark.
  
• Bodiam, Alfriston, Birling Gap
  
• Gravel sections (glad I kept my 25s with "softer" wheelset)
  
• Outstanding weather (most of times)
  
  

Cons:

• Call campsites before getting there (or just wildcamp) - esp on bank holiday weekend
  

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rode a relaxed 225km (over 2 days) with gf this weekend up in the Hebrides. Used my large apidura saddle bag for the first time. Good bit of kit but one complaint - when I stand up and pedal the pack wobbles and unbalances the bike.

Is there a mod that could fix this? Maybe some more grippy material on my seatpost for the two straps to hold to a bit better?

It was my first time properly loading my Apidura saddle bag as well, on top of the full bag I had the tent strapped on top, I hardly believe it can get heavier than that (see pics above).

Other than tightening the two straps on the saddle rails, I was able to further improve the stability by strapping the very back of the saddle using an inner tube and tying it to the underside of the saddle again. You can probably do better with a proper non elastic strap.

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Extra webbing/velcro straps. Ideally three, but two would be enough. One as high as possible (as with @giofox88) and at least one more around the outside of the bag and onto the seat post.

I overkilled the ktm bag with super wide velcro straps and it barely moved. I also crammed clothes in tight, to avoid loose material.

Thanks, I have some webbing and bungee stuff I can experiment with, looks like it should work!

Sorry if peas, but here's a complete list of bike packing bag manufacturers.http://www.cyclingabout.com/complete-list-of-bikepacking-bag-manufacturers/

Rode Manchester-Brecon to camp. Have a NatureHike tent, Alpkit inflatable mat, Decathlon sleeping bag; down jacket, flip flops, running shorts and long sleeve t-shirt for off bike. Small pan and beer can stove, but was not as successful as trial at home. Need to take trousers next time (cold), and spare bibs (wasted most a day waiting for them to dry after prior evening wash). Overall was happy with the setup, didn't notice it on the flats and made it up some sharp climbs, and great to be able to remove it all and have my best bike with me. Bit of a faff over the traditional panniers for packing up, but will get more efficient with practice.

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Massively, ridiculously overpacked, but the weather is so shit I've got a spare most things.

Should be a fun ride.

where are you headed?

I do tie the handlebar bag like that too, so much better, keeps it off wheel and shifters

@joeae that's insane! Like the advert up-thread for all the bags. Long trip? How many days did you split it into?

@eyebrows looks like the same or less than I took for 3 weeks (but yours is a way better gear choice)

Has anyone done a trip in the south of Portugal/Spain wild camping?

I'm flying to Faro and leaving from Malaga 12 days later. All booked up for September.

Still have to plan the route and decide which bike to take.

I have a rear rack and two large pannier bags.

92' Kona fire mountain MTB
Peugeot Triathlon 501 Steel
Graham weigh 531 Steel

Any help would be great!