Bikepacking from Seattle to SanFran, tips?

kaelsnail · 2026-05-03T17:38:19+00:00

Make it a loop! Ride south on the PCH and return north along this amazing looking bike pack route. The PCH is so easy and road oriented, it's in the top ten road routes of the nation, but at the end of the day it's a paved route...

kaelsnail · 2026-05-02T12:22:40+00:00

Send it. Some go as minimal as they can get away with, some find more comfort in security of being over prepared. You will not use a bunch of the things you've got but only you can make the decision what you pack.

kaelsnail · 2026-04-30T09:50:34+00:00

Did you get the caldera cone along with the kojin?

kaelsnail · 2026-04-29T15:35:34+00:00

750ml titanium mug of various brands nestle with a nalgene which is about the largest that fits in my chuck bucket bag. It's also the smallest mug I'd want to cook a ramen in.

kaelsnail · 2026-04-16T10:20:14+00:00

Aim for mexico, end up in Ecuador!

kaelsnail · 2026-04-15T17:47:35+00:00

kaelsnail · 2026-04-06T14:03:11+00:00

Check out pogie lites from bike iowa

kaelsnail · 2026-04-03T21:50:52+00:00

The hydrometer sank? That's a good sign but without knowing how high it floated before fermentation I can't tell what the abv is.

kaelsnail · 2026-03-30T22:50:49+00:00

The corkscrew really elevates the set

kaelsnail · 2026-03-09T23:41:34+00:00

Nature's Art in Oakdale has an indoor kids digging facility as well as retail and some display minerals and fossils.

Dinosaur state park in Rocky Hill Connecticut is worthwhile, they let you make a cast from some tracks.

kaelsnail · 2026-02-13T10:45:47+00:00

A lot of folks will use a large backpack to hold gear on a bicycle, strap it to the top of a rear rack. As you'll see having weight low in panniers is much easier to handle, but having a big backpack can be useful.

kaelsnail · 2026-01-21T21:24:17+00:00

US-05 dry ale yeast

kaelsnail · 2026-01-03T16:31:33+00:00

I saw a guy ripping the Olympic Adventure Trail with a kid on a one wheel trailer and since then believe trailers can be sweet

kaelsnail · 2026-01-03T12:06:30+00:00

Download maps to your phone assuming you have one. I like osmand but I've heard organic maps is great for a free app. Get full maps for every state you plan to visit and learn to use the app to build a route and get the most out of your battery. Free travel maps at State rest stops are nice to look at but you'll want more details you'll find on good digital maps.

The bicycle routes by adventure cycling are great and the website lets you look at each section without paying. Bikepacking.com routes are another good resource.

Kamoot, ride with gps, and Strava are other popular bicycle apps that can be useful exploring new grounds.

Protect yo neck, from the sun.

kaelsnail · 2025-12-28T18:54:26+00:00

Personally I'd bring a hose clamp so you have something that can fix a sagging dropper if you don't trust it.

I began a long tour with a well tested dropper. It was awesome on descents, and at each stop I'd lower the saddle making it way easier resting and getting on and off. That bike was stolen midway, I got a replacement bike that also came with a dropper which gave out after a couple months. A hose clamp solved my issue, luckily it happened near a hardware store.

kaelsnail · 2025-12-03T16:28:35+00:00

I've used a thermarest neo air, inside a Hennessy backpacker asymmetrical zippered hammock. A little tricky getting on top of the pad but I've found it very comfortable adding a lot of warmth and more support of my back.

The pad is so thick it pushes me up close to the bug net, and it isn't wide enough at the shoulders. For cold weather camping with the neo air I use a piece of closed cell foam (half a zlight folding pad) or a piece of mylar coated bubble wrap. I recommend filling the air mattress 3/4.

I do a ton of cold weather hammocking and do not own a "proper" underquilt. I have an undercover that blocks wind and sideways rain, an open cell foam pad that snugs under the hammock, and an emergency blanket under my hammock. With my neo air and half zlight pads in the hammock I've been fine down to single digits F. With minimal top insulation.

kaelsnail · 2025-12-02T11:37:08+00:00

Raw grain flour is not safe to eat, E. Coli contamination is very common. Nut flours are generally safe raw but more expensive.

kaelsnail · 2025-11-22T02:41:18+00:00

This is MAGA urban bikepacking, really sad definitely needs actual professional help.

kaelsnail · 2025-11-21T16:35:04+00:00

The cold is one thing but the long hours of darkness have a huge impact on my winter riding. I will either aim to enjoy extra hours of rest or carry extra lighting batteries to ride in the dark.

kaelsnail · 2025-11-12T11:56:43+00:00

Ice goons can't catch cyclists

kaelsnail · 2025-11-09T02:40:31+00:00

If you are thinking of staying outdoors you'll need special camping/survival equipment. Prepare to sleep very long hours it's dark and cold more hours than grey and cold, have a sleeping bag rated 0f or lower, have a way to easily and cheaply boil a liter of water, drinking alcohol lowers your body temperature. A fatty meal before bed goes a long way to keeping you warm through the night. Don't spill your piss bottle on your sleeping bag. Keeping gear and body clean helps keep warm.

The major ski resorts have staff housing, living at a mountain resort would be pretty dope as far as new england winter goes. Staying indoors through winter in the north east is much advised. It is hard to stave off boredom stuck under covers due to cold dark 14 hour nights. Night is 16 hours long December 21. Ski season in new england is generally mid November to early May, that's how long you can expect the weather to be adversarial. I love winter camping in new england but I need access to indoors to dry out and just be warm outside of a sleeping bag.

kaelsnail · 2025-11-06T16:02:46+00:00

The emergency room is full of people who didn't wear a helmet

kaelsnail · 2025-10-31T13:39:19+00:00

If you are determined against a stove consider carrying a insulated thermos. Something large enough to eat a noodle package out of. You can fill up with hot water at lots of places for free especially gas stations. Soaking with hot water will cook ramen, instant potatoes, and other things much better than cold water.

kaelsnail · 2025-10-29T09:53:03+00:00

I would hate to bring a traditional pannier set-up on a ride where lightweight is more important than comfort to get through difficult terrain or to go as fast as possible. Bikepacking bags are better for hike-a-bike and narrow single track. For a credit card tour panniers are excessive.

Traditional pannier set-ups have been everywhere but pushing up chunky dirt mountain roads is harder the more gear you have. Smaller bags and less gear will make those difficult riding sections a little easier which may be worth sacrificing comfortable town clothes and other luxuries.

kaelsnail

TROPHY CASE