BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi everyone,

I am new to riding, and I'm wondering about the practicality of long trips on a bike. How do you carry your stuff? Backpack? Saddlebags? Both? How much stuff are you able to bring with you on a bike -- less or more than usual? The same amount?

Thanks and vvvvvrrrrooooommm!

Well, you don't wanna bring a backpack because it messes with your balance.

I now use Krauser hard bags, but for many years I used soft luggage from Rev Pack.
I also suggest that you check out the stuff at Eurotech.

And yes, I take along all the usual stuff, including a chair.

I rode from L.A. to the edge of Alaska and down to Mexico last summer covering about 7000 miles.

I used:

-standard leather saddle bags (they fit nicely onto my Honda Shadow 1100).
-Rear rack with a small milk crate attached to it for the things I used all the time (bread, peanut butter, sunblock,water, etc.)
-stuff sac containing all my rain gear securely VERY SECURELY bungy-corded to the front fender (it never budged)
-a duffle bag on the rear seat (held most of my belongings)
-and tent, sleeping bag, yes even a small chair, strapped on top of the duffle bag.
-magnetic tank bag contained all my valuables.

Since this experience (and a few others since then) I will make the following recommendations:

I found that traveling light is ideal (but difficult to achieve) if you want to leave your bike for an afternoon of hiking. I wasn't about to leave $1000 worth of leather clothing sitting on the seat while I went for a hike.

If you don't want someone to steal it find a way that allows you to take it with you whenever, whereever.

I kept food and campstove and anything else I could easily replace into the saddlebags. Rain gear was cheap so I could leave that strapped on the front fender. Since you're bike camping, buy a cheap tent that can quickly be repaced. (Most people don't steal clothse).

Have back pack on hand for your pricy riding gear and any other valuables.

On my next ride I will take my Gregory Reality 4600 cubic inch pack. I have done it before and it works great but make sure you balance the weight properly for riding. With the pack all I have to do is unstrap it and put it on (since I'll be doing alot of backpacking this is the most convenient way to go).

Be sure to bring some basic tools ESPECIALLY a tire repair kit. If you have tubed tires like mine you also must bring an air pump. If your tire is punctured in the middle of nowhere you can fill it up, ride 10 or twenty miles, fill it up again, until you get to gas station. It's that or have it towed which is a pain in the ass and expensive.

Enjoy your new adventures and keep us posted.

Johannes The Peaceful Road Warrior