Kind Regards,
Diane
On Jul 5, 2021, at 4:29 PM, John Dickson <johnkdickson55@gmail.com> wrote:
Since Shauna and I hiked the Appalachian Trail 4 years ago, from time to time we compare long distance bikepacking to long distance backpacking. Following are a few observations:1. Backpacking you are on your feet most of the day. Bikepacking you get to sit on the bike most of the day. Win for bikepacking.2. While backpacking all your gear is on your back. While bikepacking most gear is on the bike. Win for bikepacking.3. Conversation between us is often impossible while riding due to wind noise, road noise, and distance between us on the downhill. Conversation was much easier on the AT. Win for backpacking.4. Simply due to speed, we see much more while bikepacking. Win for bikepacking.5. There are very few equipment issues with a backpack. While bikepacking, we deal with tire pressure, chain cleaning, bottom bracket failure, brake pad wear, etc. Win backpacking.6. Hitching a ride to town is easy with a backpack. Good luck hitching a ride with two loaded bikes. (Although we did it once from White Post to Stephens City VA with a good ole boy in his pickup truck.) Win backpacking.7. Gear organization is easy with a backpack. 90% of our stuff simply goes in the backpack with a few things in the outside pockets. Bikepacking requires strategically placing heavy things in the frame bag, lighter things on the handlebars, other things in the seat post bag or fork bags, and odds and ends in top tube bags. Win backpacking.8. Riding a bike is way more fun than walking. Overwhelming win for bikepacking.9. At the end of a backpacking day, feet and legs are very tired and take some time to recover. Our bodies are much less tired and recover much more quickly after a day of bikepacking. Huge win for bikepacking.Bikepacking is the winner.<20210704_104646.jpg><20210702_073448.jpg><20210701_110843.jpg><20210705_094941.jpg><20210704_092127.jpg><20210703_170058.jpg>
