Looking forward to seeing your bike packing adventures. As someone who has done a lot of road and off road cycling over the years I think you've done a very good job of choosing your bike. There are just two things I'd suggest you consider. 1. Ditch the tubeless tyres and go for tubed ones and get Schwalbe tyres. They are not the dearest, but they are more puncture resistant than any other make I've used and also have 2-3 times the lifetime of most makes. The other less trivial change I'd make would be to have front suspension. Rear suspension is a poor idea for touring due to weight, but more importantly peddling efficiency. Front suspension helps no only with wrist fatigue but more critically helps you to steer more easily and accurately over rough tracks. Good luck with your new venture, I really look forward to seeing how you get on.
Thanks for the tips. Have already got hold of some second hand front shocks to see if they make things better. Done a 16 mile test run with carbon fork and left wrist was killing me with the vibration. Atb
+1 on the Schwalbe tyres, I run Marathons on my Brompton and get circa 4,500 miles from a pair. The Brompton can handle light off-road: gravel fire roads, bridleways and South Downs Link etc. I’m planning to renovate a secondhand ‘94 Kona MTB and have brought 2x 26” Marathon Plus ATB tyres in 2.15” and tubes for the very reason you mention. I may at a later date go to a sus fork.
Good to see you on a bicycle Ray, one of the best ways to travel in my opinion, less impact on the joints. My long distance walking days are coming to an end due to a bad hip but cycling not hurting it at all! Nice bike BTW, Ideal choice
Thanks Sandy and hope you are keeping well. The long walks are starting to take there toll at times and often it is a 2-3 day recovery for the legs. Atb
Hi , one thing after 35 years of Mbiking.. cycle with bike shorts (tights) then change. Cycling wiith breeks (walking) is a knee binder. You will notice a big difference. ATB and get shocks btw.
Enjoy. As far as forks go…been MTB riding since 1980’s. Fact is,unless you plan real technical,rough,fast riding then your Carbon forks are lighter, nicer ride and offer varied rack mounts…plus with a hard tail,rigid frame simply you learn how to ride off road and developers great skills.
Bravo - Welcome to the madness.. My front bag and saddle holster and bag are Riverside from Decathlon. 15ltr each. A small 8ltr backpack for waterproofs and telescopic carbin tent poles. 🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴
really enjoyed this. looking forward to some more bike content. where you go and what routes you take... My last mini adventure on the bike was isle of cumbrae about a 10mile circular. great fun
Been using those bars for a few years too Ray, I like how they move any bar bags well away from headtube, kind of give you another hand position if you tape them up, biggest bonus is you get a nice platform to lash a shelter onto, handy for something long like a Notch
This is great Ray. Bike packing is great fun. We did a trip leaving from Callander and cycled along Cycle Route 7, through Strathyre to Loch Earn, up the Glen Ogle Trail and then down into Killin, where we stopped for a pint and chippy. Then along the South side of Loch Tay to camp by the Loch. It's an amazing wee trip and nearly all off-road. Enjoy your new adventures.🚲🏕
Good stuff Ray. Don't panic if your hr goes off the scale cycling, IME none of them are particularly accurate when descending. Sonder bikes are great value, good choice.
My bike carries me and my stuff much further than I could ever walk. Yes, depending on the terrain it can be a struggle on the way up, but holy sh*t, it's fun on the way down, plus the weight's not all on your back..... Looking forwards to some mixed adventures from you Ray. As for the DJI Osmo, I have the 3 and it's a been a brilliant camera for bikepacking and family trips - It's recommended you format the SD card when you put it in for the first time.... Happy bikepacking, walking, pushing advenrues 🙏🏽
Expect a sore arse if your not used to cycling, or had the winter off. Padded shorts is almost a must have unless its just a commute. Got 3 bikes over last 12 ish years through bike to work. Pretty sure locks, lights and clothing can be included. Bike luggage is expensive.
Pretty much always had a bike but got my first mountain bike to help with the long walk in’s and more especially the long walk out when tired at the end of the day. Have fun, cheers Paul
Hi Ray MTB are great for accessing the more remote Munros and Corbetts. I got my first one 30 years ago a Voltage Jazz with no suspension but reasonable gears and used it up until about 4 years ago when I replaced it with a Specialized Rockhopper Elite. Some hard ascents try Attadale to Bendronaig Lodge !! but downhill is great fun and saves loads of time. Also used it up to Iron Lodge from Killilan which I have also walked and found a real trudge. I have a few bike and hike videos on my channel but they are pretty amateurish compared to your videos. Keep up the good work and ATB Paul
The Burma Road loop is nice behind Aviemore. Killer hill to start off with thou! My gravel bike is awesome for long walk ins etc. Wouldn't be without one.
Always love to watch your videos Ray, great to watch todays. I have 2 Sonder bikes and both are great. Just build your time in the saddle gently and you will soon be taking on the Cairngorm loop!
Brilliant Ray great to see you trying a bike Im they are addictive and great ways to travel around, plus the cult or to work scheme means it’s likely a tad cheaper so it’s a no brainer. I quite fancy a new one myself and hopefully incorporate it with my camping or even just throw myself down a few mountains for the thrill lol. Thanks for sharing hope you’re well. ATB Steve
Good for odd trips. I didn't find it too bad with pack on back . Didn't go to mad on price of bike, but its good enough ,just peace of mind if I leave it somewhere and it go walkies . I haven't lost a fortune and not so worried . Haven't fell of yet but I seem to always end up on me arse anyway as I hike everytime lol
The best and cheapest modification to your kit that I would recommend: A pair of cycle bibs! Trust me! A tenner on some padding to you shorts makes all the difference in the world! 👍
Thank you. I'm also down the same rabbit hole of what bags to buy. Looking at Tailfin but they're soo expensive. I do like the Restrap range though and have a 7l saddle bag from them.
Nice to see you on a bike Ray ...cyclings great if your coycx can take it good tip Decathlon big gell saddle sorted me out .... Very tidy bike and i hope you get some good adventures with it ... brake yourself in with nice level canal paths etc ? And never underestimate a bike trailer for all that gear ..... youll be on the Badger divide trail next watch this space ....👍🏻
Let's hope you got a good Big lock for that brand new eye catching bike Ray :) ... funnily enough i decided to get a mountain bike tonight then I turned you on and low and behold! Talk about timing :) Merky ☘️ ps fenix watches are wirth every penny although really expensive. Outdoor active compatible
Looks like a decent machine. I don't think enough people take advantage of the cycle to work scheme. I think most UK employers are enrolled in it Saying that, it's a buyer market when it comes to buying 2nd hand at the moment. Bargains to be had out there I got one a couple of years ago and it's the best purchase I've made in decades, although most of my disposable income has been going on upgrading parts, tools and accessories
My place had done it for a while but only found out by accident. Will say that some of the new bikes out there in some of the shops are silly prices and not far off buying a motorbike. Atb
Agreed. Absolutely mental when you start looking into full suspension downhill rigs 🤯 Even things like tyres can be same if not more expensive than car tyres Wild camping and mountain biking ain't cheap hobbies but you can't put a value on what they can do for the mind, body and soul. Enjoy broski!
Thank you Ray for the lovely video, looks a nice bike, think I will do the same one day and get one too 😁 Didnae even know carbon forks were a thing 😲 I must be getting old...
Not tried any of these new high tech watches. Many are getting silly expensive, like phones and just about everything else. Just like the bike I havent really worn a watch since I was teen with a casio. Atb
Puncture, camera going......you've sold your soul to the devil Ray! Burn the thing now! We wont tell anyone! 😉 At least you haven't got stabilizers! Good to see you out and about with some new adventures!
Nice one Ray,food for thought for me as I've been toying about purchasing a MTB myself. Can I ask, is the bike a hardtail, or gravel bike & do you have a GPX of the route you took. TIA Willie
Yes it was with the 'Osmo Action 4'. Have updated the description as I normally add it into the video description info. My last few films have all been filmed with it and would note that I have recently tried the 'Insta Ace Pro' and feel the reviews are not the best as I think the Osmo is better. Also, DJI are bringing out there second generation wireless microphone that will work with the Osmo 4 without any boxes or cables to connect it. Atb for 2024.
@@RS.Outdoors Many thanks for your quick reply! I've almost purchased the Osmo 3, but after many negative reviews I've given up. Thanks also for your opinion on the Insta Ace Pro!
Hi there Ray, absolutely brilliant mate, so looking forward to seeing some of your bike packing adventures. Looks a lovely steed she does. Are you going to give here a name? 🤣🤣 The camera looks steady as a rock mate. All the best Dave
