timmythology

So I am wanting to do my first over night trip on my bike. I am using my commuter mtb, which is more of a hybrid at this point. I am not worried about my bike for this. I have rode this bike for a few metric centuries.

I am looking at going from my house to Bagby hot-springs in Mt.Hood national forest. My route is around the 65 mile mark.

My question is this.
How much water should I figure to have for use? I am figuring on my camel back, and one bottle for juice on my bike. I have five water stops planned, and figure on putting a 1/2 gallon of water in a pannier for the camp at night.

To stove or not to stove. The reason I am only having one bottle of water on my bike is I figure on putting a fuel bottle in my other holder, since I really don't want stove fuel in my pannier. The stove would only be used for dinner, tea, and oatmeal in the morning.

These are my only questions so far, thanks

nancyj

I like this little stove a lot - super light and puts out a lot of heat - no fuel bottle or stove to mess with - cheap - perfect for what you are describing. Esbitt.

https://www.rei.com/product/653343?pr...:referralID=NA

I would rather use another holder for water - how much to carry depends on the temp and the humidity but it sounds like you have plenty of experience there to be able to judge.

timmythology

My guess is it will be hot, which is why I am leaving at 6am. It's oregon so humidity should not be that bad. I just remeber when I did my first unsupported metric and the person that planned it did not plan water stops, so we ran out in the middle of no ware.

The plan just has me going past a sign that reads, no gas for the next 70 miles. So I am just a bit concerned with having enough. I guess I could bring a water filter for that.

mthayer

Congrats on deciding to do your first overnighter. After this you will probably be hooked and will keep on doing them on a regular basis. As far as for water, how much do you normally drink riding? I will take the amount of water I normally drink and double it. When ever I get a chance to stop for water, I fill all my empties. I like to have more than enough water at all times. As far as the stove, take it. I always like having the option to have a warm meal. If you run out of potable water while in camp and you need more, you can always boil water to use in an emergency.
When I did my first overnighter, I over packed. You will most likely do the same. You will learn what you need and what you want to have while doing overnighters the more trips you take.
Good luck with your trip.

I take my water filter with me on my overnighters. I like to camp at a park on a local lake, so I filter water, to use for my cooking (most of my cooking involves boiling water).

timmythology

Thanks, I like the idea of doubling what I normally do for water. My last water spot is scheduled about twenty miles from where I am camping, which is another concern.
I figure the worst it can get is riding the next day the first 20 miles with out water, but than that is almost all down hill: )

Neil_B

So there is nowhere to stop for fluids?

StephenH

From past hiking experience- consider some iodine tablets, and you can treat water as necessary closer to your campsite, assuming you're not just in a desert.

Personally, I'd rather have too much water at a campsite than too little. That's a miserable feeling. If you have to, you can tie a plastic bag on your handlebars and hang a bottle or two of water there for the last 20 miles.

timmythology

I did the route on google, but saved to home computer so can't put up right now. From what I can tell I can fill up in Estacada Or which is the half way point, and than at a Job Corps center which is at the two thirds point. I can't remember if the camp sites a long the route have water or not. Than even if they do it is usually river water for doing dishes and not drinking. I have camped in the area a lot, but always brought my own drinking and utility water. I have backed packed in the area, and have a water filter that I take for that.

There is a cold spring at the hot springs, I am staying at. So there is natural water to be had. I am also not an overly picky person when it comes to it. I also like to be prepared, and count on my self to be so. This is in the sticks and there are no stores with in 30 miles of where I'll be.

On an avg. ride i consume between 16-24 ozs of water per hour while riding. My plan is to top off my camel pack, 50oz, 24oz bottle, and a half gallon of water at the last water stop I can depend on. I think I will also do a couple additional bottles in a pannier. Since I won't take much more than a extra pair of socks and shirt food and some flip flops and pants for camp. Plan on packing everything in my two panniers, and strapping sleeping bag and pad on top. Ill post the google route I have when I get home.

timmythology

So the concerns of water is over. Call the ranger station and learned that the water in camp grounds is from a well, rather than from the river.

So loading the bike, i am assuming that you balance the load on both sides, I am using two orbilite panniers. Than just strap the sleeping bag on top?

This is also the first time i have had to use both of my panniers at the same time: )

Seattle Forrest

Do you have a water purifier? I fill my bottles from mountain streams all the time - it's delicious at least in the northern Cascades.

Neil_B

Yes, that's correct.

Or you could try the "I'm gonna thrown everything in a milk crate" approach:



Or the "who needs panniers when I have a couple of old backpacks" approach:

GeorgeVW

I've got a stove similar to this one, which also obviates the need for carrying fuel. Unless you camp above the treeline, there's always fuel and it works a treat.

Addendum: Thought the one I had was no longer made, but here it is.