The world of leisure biking is nothing if not creative on the subject of methods to promote bikes and related bits of equipment, and two of the preferred new – or theoretically new – ideas are bikepacking and gravel bikes.
As with all such concepts there’s the inevitable advertising and marketing guff, however each are nonetheless fascinating, if generally misunderstood. Earlier this week, on pattern as ever, I managed each, with a four-day trip across the King Alfred’s Method, a 218-mile primarily off-road loop by the lanes, tracks, woods and ridges of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
The path, put collectively by Biking UK and taking in components of the Ridgeway and South Downs Method, is extremely advisable, however what I need to recount right here is extra the mechanics of how I and a buddy did it – and to explain the concepts behind such journeys.
What’s bikepacking? Is it simply touring rebranded?
Sure and no. Touring historically sticks to roads and entails a sturdy, road-type machine, usually with a baggage rack, even racks, and panniers. Bikepacking is equally self-supported however tends to imply lighter masses, with baggage linked extra on to the bike, permitting sooner speeds and larger ease on off-road routes. In fact, this isn’t a brand new thought, however it’s more and more well-liked.
What bike do you employ? And what is a gravel bike, anyway?
You may bikepack on any bike you need, together with a street machine for high-speed tarmac touring. However straying too lengthy on to tough, slippery surfaces calls out for wider, grippy tyres and possibly disc brakes. Mountain bikes have, in fact, had this space coated for many years. A gravel bike is probably the love baby of a street bike and a mountain bike, thus a detailed cousin of the cyclocross bike. As usually marketed, a gravel bike is a drop-handlebar machine with disc brakes, clearance for wider tyres, no suspension and a comparatively forgiving trip geometry. In actuality, this may range. For instance, the bike I rode had straight handlebars. Why? As a result of I favor them.
However what’s the purpose of gravel bikes?
The purpose is to mix among the greatest components of street using (a light-weight, agile, speedy bike) and mountain biking (taking to grime paths, muddy tracks, or no matter turns up). Some trendy mountain bikes, with light-weight frames and 27in wheels, cowl plenty of the identical floor, metaphorically and actually. However gravel bikes are enjoyable for a purpose. Mine feels very almost as quick and agile on tarmac as a street bike, however will confidently bounce down a rocky hillside.
What gear do you want for bikepacking?
The brief and simplistic reply is: it relies upon what you’re planning to take and the way you need to do it. On the King Alfred’s Method you see all types of options (some additionally involving mountain bikes and electric-assist mountain bikes), together with one man whose most important baggage was a water-resistant bag merely lashed to the seatpost of his bike. We have been tenting for among the journey, and so took tents, sleeping baggage and mats, together with all the pieces else. For me this concerned a large-ish handlebar bag and an unlimited pack hooked up to the saddle, each with roll-end closing which made them – they usually have been very a lot examined on this – solely waterproof. I additionally had a small bag hooked up to the body triangle.
Can’t you simply use panniers?
In fact. And we did see some folks with them on the route. However the bikepacking baggage idea brings a few benefits. First, it makes the assembled bike no wider than your handlebars, helpful for squeezing down hedge-fringed single-track routes. Additionally, the baggage are so tightly lashed there’s nearly no wobble, and just about no likelihood of something detaching from the bike amid a teeth-chattering, faster-than-strictly-planned descent down a rocky valley. I might really feel the burden on the bike throughout climbs, however for essentially the most half it felt as balanced and nimble as if it have been unladen. I’ve ridden lots with panniers, and it’s not fairly the identical.
Can we’ve got some specifics on what you used?
My bike was a reasonably outdated carbon-framed On One cyclocross bike I beforehand used for commuting. Turning it right into a usable gravel bike simply required a longer-cage rear derailleur and a dinner-plate-sized cassette. My buddy rode a ready-made Planet X gravel bike (Planet X and On One are literally the identical South Yorkshire-based firm). My bike was £1,000 new, which for many individuals could appear an absurd sum, however within the realm of extraordinarily versatile hobbyist bikes is fairly good. We each used Panaracer GravelKing tyres, which have been glorious.
Lastly, any suggestions for the King Alfred’s Method?
I’d primarily say: enable sufficient time. Some folks dash spherical it in three and even two days, and when you’re glad to do this, it will be thrilling. However keep in mind that there are plenty of hills, and that among the tracks – notably alongside the Ridgeway and South Downs Method – can get very slippery if it rains, necessitating a slower tempo. If I trip the route once more, and I’d like to, I’d be tempted to take 5 days, permitting extra time to cease correctly at locations alongside the way in which, reminiscent of Stonehenge and Avebury.
