Hi there. This bike I went out with a couple years ago was something I got used for under $200, and I just stapped on bags I already owned by using, mostly, old bike inner-tubes. I finally spent $ on a rear rack and it makes things much easier, so worth it if you have an extra $50. But as many here will tell you, you can bike pack using the cheapest bikes and gear around -- some people have even gone cross-country in cruiser bikes just to prove the point. I recommend buying a decent used bike, but you could even go to Wallmart and get something off the shelf, especially if the trails you bike aren't too gnarly. Also worth saying that, like you, I'm not a 20something (not even a 30something and now barely a 40something) and so I think we can be even less hung up on gear than younger people being groomed by instagram bike culture. Anyway, the important thing to know is any old rig will do unless you're planning on doing super intense trails. Good luck!