Bike+Pack=Bikepacking.

I’ve descended into gear mode. Tunnel vision. Scheming and planning and tinkering.

Over the last several weeks I have debated back and forth on wether or not to ride the Dixie Lite. 160 miles of unknown, wonderful trail in a remote part of Utah. I know, what is there to debate? Turns out, a lot. But the nagging, lingering tug that keeps telling me that “now is as good a time as ever” to plunge into the world of bikepacking simply won’t go away. And so, that debate continues, albeit without quite as much passion and fire. I think I’ve made up my mind. Indeed, it seemed a natural decision—or rather an evolution. I found myself digging through gear, scouring forums and maps, and attaching different bags to different parts of the bike. In the middle of doing all that, I realized—with a streak of terror—that I was in. Or all but. And really, why not?

“You are crazy!”

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been backpacking all my life. Now, I’ll do it with a bike.”

“Crazy.”

Perhaps. But then, again… I’ve backpacked since I was a kid. And on the trips I’ve done since I started mountain biking, I’ve always thought that “this would be better on a bike.” Backpacking + Mountain biking = Bikepacking. Peanut butter and Jelly. Right?

But in the meantime, I’ve got a race to race.

And as soon as that is done, it’ll be back to the war-room. And the maps and the checklists and the test rides.

Which reminds me: anyone want to go bike-camping Friday night?