The Dirtbag approach to bikepacking.

When bikepacking caught my attention, I went the whole monty and jumped into a custom set of bags by Carousel Design Works.  Together with Revelate Bags in AK, they are the two main purveyors of custom made bags.  I do not regret the decision, as every time I pack up the CDW bags, I marvel at how well they are made.  Both Jeff and Eric do quality work and if you are headed across the Great Divide then a set of bags like this is well worth the wait.

Along with that, I put to use some backpacking stuff I had and picked up some other items to get me out-of-doors with some degree of comfort. An ultralight down bag, singlewall shelter, pack, stove, etc and you are set to go. 

However, there is one thing all this gear has in common.  It costs money, and quite a bit of it too.  A custom 4 piece bag set-up will run $400.00 to $500.00 dollars.  Add a $250.00 ultralight down bag, a high tech shelter....well, it can get costly.  And all this, just to get out overnight on your bike?

Let us get some perspective here.  Chances are that when you decide to go bikepacking, especially for a simple s24o (sub 24 hour overnighter), you will ride the bike you have.  You typically do not go out and buy a custom bike to go bikepacking on unless you really, really have specific needs that nothing else will meet, like internal fuel storage on the fork legs of the bike like on this Moots Ti snow bike for Mike Curiak. 

So, if you can ride what ya got, what about using what else you may have around?  Or, how about taking some simple and affordable items and using them for bikepacking?  Maybe we can make our own stuff, modify something, buy at a discount, or?  Maybe we can do it cheaper, if we are willing to work a bit and compromise here and there.  What I am talking about is the dirtbag approach to bikepacking:  getting out there more for less.  Then, we can add the better stuff as time goes on...or not!

And that is what I intend to explore a bit in this series of articles.  I will look at options, play with making some stuff, adapting others; I may haunt the isles of the discount web outlets, push my cart around the local thrift stores.  I will talk to some champion dirtbaggers and see how they do it on a budget. 

It may not be smooth, it may not be pretty, and it may not be blingy.  But it is all about getting out however you can and having fun bikepacking and that is something that a small budget should not keep you from doing.

Comments

[zone'd ripper]

woot! update! bike packing on the cheap. Looking forward to it.

[jb]

Great post, great ethic, great attitude- very much looking forward to reading your series!

Enjoy your riding,

jb

[dman]

www.steepandcheap.com