Mountain Biking - Overnight Camping Trip by Bike.

Over in another thread Monk and Sheep were discussing overnight trips with a backpack/panniers.

I've been wanting to do one of these for a while, but don't know where to go or what specific gear is needed. I've got most of the basics, but tend to "OVERPACK" and would like to find out from you guys what works and what doesn't.

I'll probably travel to N GA or WNC mtns as they are the closests. Further West complicates things too much for me as I would most likely drive from FL as flying with gear is a PITA.

I do mostly car camping so a lot of my gear is 'geared' to that. I don't mind buying some necessities.

Also, anyone want to join me?

I'm thinking Late Spring of '05. April or May? Open to suggestions 2 or 3 days?

All I know is that water and food is extremely important on a trip fueled by your body. Hi carb foods is actually needed now.

I've done overnighters with friends. We didn't have to pack much but what we did was we each used our big camelbaks or just backpacks, then just had each person be in charge of a certain type of necessity. One person brought food, another drinks, and so on. Then we would brink light blankets (this is during summer) and we would split the tent. For a trip longer than a night I don't really know how I'd pack but I'd expect to be eating at restaurants more often than not.

It's a a real blast though, and I'd imagine that camping for more than one night would just make it that much better.

Here's my bikepacking thread from last summer....
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=56824&highlight=bikepacking

Here's my bikepacking thread from last summer....
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=56824&highlight=bikepacking


I read that when you posted it. However, when I reread it, I still didn't get any tips as to what to bring and what to leave behind.

Any tips?

Any Takers?

Hey man, think about Pisgah Natl. Forest in NC. Tons and tons of trails up there, and Im pretty sure camping is allowed. Id be up for that, since I flyfish down there too, just as soon as it gets a bit warmer of course...

Hey BS, when did you get stateside? I must've missed that! Where in TN are you?

Pisgah is great. I love that place. The question is do you know of any trails that are point to point vs. out and backs?

I've got a pack and a small tent, a single burner and some other gear, but it's more for car camping, not backpacking.

You interested? Pisgah should be good as early as April. Anytime afterthat, I'm sure I could get away for a long weekend and do a 2 night or 3 night trip. Drive up on Thurs. leave Fri. morn., get back Sunday afternoon. Drive home!

Heck, I can do that just to ride w/o doing the overnight. Meet at Pisgah and camp at N. Mills River or whereever and just ride!

Remember though, it's a 12 hour drive for me, so I need a long weekend.

Hey BS, when did you get stateside? I must've missed that! Where in TN are you?

Pisgah is great. I love that place. The question is do you know of any trails that are point to point vs. out and backs?

I've got a pack and a small tent, a single burner and some other gear, but it's more for car camping, not backpacking.

You interested? Pisgah should be good as early as April. Anytime afterthat, I'm sure I could get away for a long weekend and do a 2 night or 3 night trip. Drive up on Thurs. leave Fri. morn., get back Sunday afternoon. Drive home!

Heck, I can do that just to ride w/o doing the overnight. Meet at Pisgah and camp at N. Mills River or whereever and just ride!

Remember though, it's a 12 hour drive for me, so I need a long weekend.

I got back on the continent in July, right now Im living in Johnson City Tn, going to ETSU, but Im moving up in the World and transferring to Austin Peay after this semester. I think my spring break would be a perfect time, or over the easter holiday if you want to ride there. Right now its only about a hour and a half away from me, but after my move, itll be more like 5. But of course, its worth the drive to ride in Pisgah, there's just tons of trails.
Actually, there are alot of people who would be interested in doing something around that time. We ought to try and get huge group together just for the occasion, maybe reserve a big camping area and do a few rides and stuff like that. There's alot of TN and NC riders over on Ridemonkey.com who I am sure would love to make a weekend out of it.

Hmmm...

COunt me in for a couple of the days. A lot of FL riders head up to NC, so I may be able to spread the word and bring a crew.

Hey man, this thing has kind of taken on a life of its own, and there are no three day weekends in april, but check this anyway, and see what you think... http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104224