Go for a gravel or endurance bike, not a full-on race bike, as these will be more comfortable on longer rides. Gravel bikes will usually allow you to fit wider tires, and will also have more attachment points. As for bikes, I love my Giant Defy, it's a great all-rounder and really comfy. You can also look at the Revolt, which is Giant's gravel bike. And they also have a women-specific brand, called Liv, which might be an option as well. And, almost more important than a new bike, get a proper, full bike-fit before and after getting the bike. Before to make sure you get the right size, and after to adjust it to fit you perfectly (saddle height and setback, stem length, handlebar height, etc).
@@kaitlynbuquoi7132 I'm excited for her to find Francis Cade (Cade Media), He is currently doing a 1000 mile bikepacking trip through south western india. great content
Hi, I am a cycling coach from NZ and I been getting into bike packing myself recently. One thing I have noticed is that you stay on your seat when you stop, try pulling forward when you stop so you can have 2 feet flat on the ground and spend some time riding of your seat its a super helpful skill. I also learnt the hard way bike packing is a slog, try balance the weight of the gear across your bike, it feels so much better to ride :) Thanks for making cool content
Dear Makari, This is your subscriber from Belarus writing to you. I rarely leave comments under videos, but in this case, I couldn't pass by. Thank you so much for continuing to open up the world of travel and bicycles for people like me. I am constantly in awe of Canada's nature and your beauty. Excellent video! After watching it, I have a strong desire to try something similar, though I first need to get my own bike. Thank you for your videos, and keep up the great work.
The fact that you are already doing your first solo bikepacking trip after just a few months is super impressive and inspiring. And that's coming from kind of a "cool adventure person" - but it took me years of adventures with friends to have the confidence to go on a solo trip. Also unpopular opinion: flat pedals with trail runners are superior for bikepacking. At least on longer trips where you sometimes leave the bike behind to explore a city on foot or hike up a mountain.
I just have to say that since I saw the recommendation for your channel, everytime I watch one of your videos I feel happier, more motivated and adventurous at the same time. You're a natural at this (logging you r life's adventures and firsts at things) and one of the people I love to follow here. And BTW, now you can consider yourself a hardcore biker! Once you start bikepacking, there's no going back... ❤🎉👏 And congrats on the 100k subs milestone! 🥳🥳👏👏
Hello, I'm a long time cyclist from Australia. Been racing (road, mountain and track) and clipped into my pedals since I was 12 and I've had my fair share of falls when I was learning. Watching you get into cycling has brought a smile to my face so many times. My advice based on your struggles when coming to a stop. 1. Unclip one foot early. Change to an easier gear that you'll be able to start in easily. 2. Put your other foot at 6 O'clock and stand up (on that leg) out of the saddle. 3. Lean the bike ever so slightly to one side (your unclipped foot) and stand on that foot. 4. When you get moving again put the still clipped foot around 2 O'clock. This is a good position of power and this way you get a good pedal stroke in to start rolling while you stress about with your other foot.This way you'll only have to reclip one foot. It can be much harder on hills because you don't get much rolling distance. Practice this start technique (like you were on the grass. Stop, clip in, ride 10m, stop, repeat over and over) until its muscle memory and you can get your foot in almost every time first time without looking. That will really help with hill start As for bike selection, an endurance bike like a Giant Defy or Cervelo Caledonia (I had one of these, excellent bike), with wider tyres is great for bike-packing and predominantly road cycling but with the right tyres could do gravel and will have a lot of attachments. A Gravel bike would work equally as well but feel slightly more sluggish on the road. I can't see you racing a crit any time soon so that probably isn't a huge issue. Equally as good would be getting either of those kidns of bikes and just having 2 sets of wheels (gravel and road). I used to race with someone who has gone semi-pro and her current team rides Liv (a womens specific brand) and she swears by them. Have a look at their gravel and endurance bikes. They may be harder to get second hand though. Lastly, when you get a bike get a bike fit. You don't want to find yourself injured down the road. Keep doing you and having fun, your videos are a joy to watch.
The best advice my coach gave me when I was learning to ride clipless was to sit in a doorway and hold on to the door. And then just clip in and out about a billion times to get comfortable with the muscle memory, then just ride around on flat ground and keep clipping in and clipping out. I am a competitive mountain biker and I've only turtled once in the year and a half I've been using clipless. ❤❤❤❤
Hello, I think even if you don't notice it, you got the face of happiness that cycling usually gives along with the wonderful sense of freedom and personal achievement. many congratulations, you graduated with a master's degree in happiness.
Makari! Haven't seen you since high-school - we will ignore that it's almost been 10 years since graduation 😳 - LOVE that you came back to doing videos (was always amazed at how good you were in school 😂). This video is so inspiring ♡ very much looking forward to the next one!
i still remember seeing a video and i thought just from the quality that this is a 500k+ channel EASILY and she was just at 25k. we're seeing the growth of an amazing channel live
I have been bikepaking my whole life (thanks mum and dad!), multiple weeks at the time. My current bike, which I highly recommend, is a Genesis Tour de Fer (+ vaude or Ortlieb bags, Ortlieb is better). It comes fully equipped with high-end components for bikepaking, mudguards, front and back light dynamo system. Loved the video!
Despite what you might think from social media, bikepacking is a stinky grind. An awesome, fun, and rewarding... stinky grind. If you're hauling enough clothes, etc to be as clean and comfy as you are when car camping you're probably hating how heavy it is.
Great video, you're progressing really quickly ! Clipless pedals take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, they're amazing. One piece of advice, get off the saddle before you come to a complete stop, and when you get going, that way you can have your whole foot on the ground instead of just the tips. It'll help massively witth stability.
Came here to say this. Advice is valid for clips or flats. Practice 'track stands' with your flat pedals (search youtube for tutorials), this will help with your low speed balance and confidence standing on the pedals, hopefully move to confidence with being unseated and un clipping.
@@Bithu I'm not good at trackstands, personnally, never really had good balance like that. But riding a motorcycle has helped me with low speed balance a lot ! However, I don't think I will ever be able to just stay seated/clipped-in at a traffic light... But yeah, first thing is to learn to get started and come to a stop out of the saddle, just makes it so much easier to get your feet down.
Respect for learning to go clipless 2 days before the trip. Despite what GCN says, personally I stick to flat pedals. But kudos to you and your first trip!
Actually GCB tested flat vs clipless and found minimum difference in speed The choice is more a personal one, and to me clipless makes it so much more comfortable and always keeps your feet in the correct position. But personal indeed!
To me it seems pointless for leisure trip. I understand competitions, but for just riding to enjoy the view and road, doesn't seem really worth it. My husband actually has pedals that are half clip-half flat and love the options, but we never did actually use the clip version, even though we pedaled around 1000km on EuroVelo trips (Europe) a few years in a row (sometimes more).
I am going to be honest. I have been watching your content for a few months now. I never realised that you lived in BC until I saw the flag in the furry. Then suddenly so many things made sense. Now all streets became familiar. I am like "oh wow I have been there, I know that". Great to see someone making cool contents in my local area. Love your content
Good on you for getting out there on a bike and doing an overnight ride . My partner and i started small , now bikepacking is our preferred holiday. We love riding rail trails and quiet gravel routes . Another option which we do is to take less stuff and just stay in motels. Your load to carry is much lighter which allows you to ride further, and mostly you get a better night sleep . So many bikepacking routes to explore
So proud of you! Struggling up a hill is worth it because afterwards you can feel the pure, childlike joy of riding downhill. Maybe that works as a metaphor as well?
It has been so wonderful to see your biking journey in your videos! You should be so proud of yourself for facing your fears and trying bikepacking and clipless shoes! Hope to see more bike updates in the future
You're SO inspirational, and I bet you felt incredibly accomplished! Cycling is always type two fun for me. its work on the way out, fun at the destination, and rewarding on the way home. Keep the content coming, you're awesome!
I got tearful at the end of this video. Your words and the images reminded me of my early days of riding, of that joy and accomplishment that comes with conquering a fear with rugged independence. I felt those same emotions you felt in your current stage of cycling (amazement, wonder, accomplishment, relief), and you reminded me of my first moments on the bike with those feelings. It brought joyful tears to my eyes and inspired me to get out on the bike for an adventure this weekend, even if it is cold. In any case, great work! Love the videos! Can't wait to see your next cycling adventure.
If it makes you feel any better I fell at an intersection around about 15 cars because I could clip out and completely embarrassed myself but now you do it without thinking! Keep it up.
This is amazing! It always fills me with lots of happiness when people discover the beauty of cycling, in whatever shape or form that may be for them. Very inspirational and keep up the positive vibes!
Wow, very impressive! I've been obsessed by cycling for 5 years now, have a decent level of fitness and done tons of cool rides, but solo bikepacking scares me. You're very brave and a big inspiration for me, thank you!
Makari! I Love This! I discovered your channel whilst solo bike packing for the second time, and watched one of your videos per night in my little tent to calm the woman-alone-in-a-tent nerves!! Love your content, love your sense of adventure and humour, keep it up!
Awesome! You're more brave then most people. I didn't do my first solo bikepacking trip until this year. And I have been doing it for several years now. Major Kudos to you. Keep it up and way to push yourself!
I remember when my wife demanded for some clipless pedals/shoe as she thinks it would make her a proper ‘cyclist’. She used it the very next day with little practice on an 80km gravel bike ride with me. She fell 6 times just like a tree falling slowly 😂. Good thing it was all on soft trail and grass. A few weeks later we had a 3 day gravel bike packing trip which is still my most memorable ride in my 15 years of cycling and racing. Keep it up! I love your positivity, it is very contagious.
Hi Makari! First video I ever watched from your channel was cycling for 30 days and now you are on your first ever clipless pedal ride! Awesome! I also struggled and was nervous when I first tried clipless pedal. And I think making the tension in the pedals less made it easier to dismount and avoid falls. I also try to dismount with my dominant foot which is my right foot. And lastly, I try to move forward from the saddle when dismounting so I don't have to tip toe and cramp. Hahaha. Keep on cycling! Gravel bike suggestion would be a Giant Revolt. Cheers!!!
Hahahha. Weve all been there and done the sideways falls with clipless. They usually only happened to me in the most embarrassing situations. Love your content. Have fun on the bike! Woot woot!
Makari congrats on your first solo bikepacking trip, as well as on 100k! Your videos are such an inspiration, I love the angles you choose and your editing! :)
this is gonna sound so weird coming from a stranger on the internet but I'm so so proud of you for putting yourself out there and carrying on so huge well done
"Why did I do this?" You did it for me, Makari, because I will NEVER do anything like it and I am living vicariously through you as a young, fit, brave person. Thank you. You killed it, Cool Adventure Person!
Aww congrats on your first overnight solo trip! This was awesome to watch, and as someone who is also terrified of her clipless pedals and hasn't taken her bike out yet with them because she's afraid of falling over, I relate to that content so much. I also bought myself an inexpensive tacx trainer on marketplace which I am going to use over the winter, to hopefully train myself in clipping in and out. Maybe by spring, I'll be confident enough to go out on the road like you! Love the video!
Congrats! If you're open to a suggestion--clipless will feel a lot less awkward on the mount/dismount if you straddle your top tube (rather than rest on the seat) when you clip in and out. That way you don't need to balance on your toes side to side (because the top tube is lower than the seat) and you can just transfer your weight back after clipping in your first shoe. For bicycles recommendations, it depends on what you're into. If you're looking for more bike camping/exploring, consider something with an internal hub and belt drive system (like a Priority Apollo), they need less maintenance and cleaning. They're slower though.
nice! no matter what anyone tells you, bike packing (biking in general) is a ride what ya got that makes you comfortable kind of thing. like no one really needs clipless pedals - if they work for you, great. if they don't work for you, rock those flats on any bike any place. applies to all gear decisions IMHO.
Great content and love the positive attitude 👍 one piece of gear I recommend to any cyclist that rides on tarmac is to consider getting the Garmin Varia. Its a rear radar light combo that alerts you when vehicles are close by on your bike computer or mobile phone. Its saved my butt a few times already and I never ride without it. Safe travels!
The vibes are always positive, even when you're unsure of yourself or your situation. Please don't change anything about yourself or your video making process!
You're SO BRAVE for solo bikepacking your first time while ALSO camping and wearing clipless for the first time in the wild!! I did my first bikepacking trip this summer but to be honest it was more of a bicycle touring experience and I approached it very conservatively. It was a week but we stayed in hotels every night and mostly went out to eat, also it's a very popular route so there was plenty of cyclist infrastructure and other cyclists around in case anything happened and I went with my partner so I wasn't alone. Also lol at the GCN rabbit hole, the same thing happened to me, might be a bit in love with Hank tbh.
I always smile the entire time watching your videos, so much positive energy! And when it comes to a bike upgrade, a lot has been said, but you have to ask yourself what do you want to do with/on your bike. Road bikes are great for that feeling of lightness and speed. You can do bikepacking on them, but it will be difficult to mount a rack etc., so you would need to get bikepacking bags and light camping gear. Gravels offer more freedom - freedom to choose your path (within reason), deal with bad roads and city infrastructure. They can offer more comfort and better options when it comes to bikepacking. So really, as all salespeople would say, we need to know your needs and wants before we can offer advice.
I love bikepacking and it takes alot of courage to go alone. I am so excited for you. I hope you do it again soon and bring a new friend to try it. Also don’t be afraid to walk your loaded bike up hills when riding is too tough. We all do it and there’s no shame in walking. Way to go with the new shoes too!!! I often switch back to flats for bikepacking so it’s more comfortable to explore and hike around camp and town.
idk why but for some reason, i enjoy this kind of video it brings me back when i first rode my bike, and yes like you its just me and some yt tutorials
Great video and congratulations on your first solo bikepacking trip. The new bike bug has bit, you're officially a cyclist like the rest of us. The proper number of bikes is n+1, you cannot resist the urge. Great job on the clipless pedals, I got my cousin to learn how to use them at the ripe old age of 49 and after a spill or two he loves them. Can't wait to see where the adventures take you.
Hi Makari! We took a cycle study trip to Utrecht, Netherlands and it changed my life! The cycle culture there is out of this world and it's just amazing to see how deeply ingrained cycling is in their daily lives. You might want to try it! It changed my perspective on cycling and made me realize that it doesn't have to be a sport or anything - it's meant to be simple and you shouldn't have to overthink it!
@@makariespe the cycle study tour we went to was specifically for designers and engineers (more on cycle infrastructure design, etc.) since I work in that industry but I know they offer other cycle tours that are more leisurely and takes you to various beautiful sites there! We cycled EVERYWHERE (at an easy pace, I might add), non-stop for 2 days to immerse in the experience.
One of us, one of us, one of us! btw getting a cycling computer and planning routes using strava or something similar is much better than using google maps. To many more 2 wheeled adventures!
So firstly your videos are beautifully edited. The GcN crew are amazing and you are so likeable and charming. I didn’t even skip through the sponsor bit 🎉
I'm try to learn english and i really love your channel. The way that you speak and do your videos it's interesting and joy; helps me to thaugh new words and have a relaxing time. Thank you so much!! Biking i'ts the best :D
Loved this video too! Awesome to be able to share your journey. Thanks! Looks like a fun adventure! And yeah...clipless pedals never get less scary. Been using my $10 facebook marketplace ones for around a year now and I still fall off on a semi-regular basis. At this point I've come to peace with it, and am just grateful that all of my crashes are at 0 km/h lol. Does feel nice to be attached to the bike though.
Congratulations on more milestones! This may have all clicked for you by now, but just in case, I'd like to share how I clip in and out, and mount and dismount. I know some cyclists may differ from me, so don't take this as the definitive method; it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with and how you feel stable. (I'll be referring to dominant and non-dominant legs. I'll also be referring to pedal position: 0 degrees is pedal at the top, 90 is pedal toward the front, 180 is pedal at the bottom, 270 is pedal toward the back.) Mounting/clipping in/standing start: Position your dominant side pedal anywhere between about 70 to 180 degrees. Stand on the non-dominant side of your bike while hold both brakes. Swing your dominant leg over the bike and clip in that foot. Bring that pedal to about 70 degrees. With the brakes held, you can rely on your hold of the bike for stability as you're on your non-dominant leg. Transfer your weight onto your dominant leg as you release the brakes until you're standing on the pedal (if you can also push yourself forward against the ground with your non-dominant foot, this will help you gain momentum). With your weight on your dominant pedal (pedal at 180 degrees), clip into your non-dominant pedal and take a few standing pedal strokes before sitting. Dismounting/unclipping/stopping: While still moving, stand up out of the saddle with your weight on your dominant leg. Slow down and unclip your non-dominant foot. As you approach your stop, lower your non-dominant foot to a few inches above the ground. (You should still be off the saddle.) Plant your non-dominant foot on the ground as you come to a complete stop. While still holding the brakes and weight now transferred to your non-dominant leg, unclip your other foot and swing that leg over the bike. As for a bike recommendation, I'd say stick with your current bike for a while longer unless there are critical problems with it (like it's too big or too small for you). Give it some time to discover what aspect of cycling really draws you in. Do you love riding on smooth pavement? Do you love exploring on lesser-known paths, maybe even off pavement? Do you want to go fast at the expense of some comfort, of go far at the expense of some speed?
Hi Makari from a very wet England!!! I got into cycling/touring about 4 months ago and got a GT grade carbon gravel bike (£1800 I think). The most comfortable bike I’ve owned and loads of mounts for bike packing.
I've seen a few of your vids now and think I'm on the wagon, haha. As for this one, a lot to unpack and a lot of words are going to be coming at you in regards to "clipless" and "which bike". I'm a mechanic and I've worked in a few shops so I could give you a bunch of shop speak about what to do. But the only thing I'll say is visit as many shops with as many different manufacturers as you can in person. There's so much out there, and when you talk with the shop sales and (hopefully) mechanics about what you want to do with the bike, you'll get a feel for the vibe and support they might give, as well as leaning on their experiences. Mechanic's point of view is worth a listen. As for the rest, you'll learn more and better riding techniques and not a thing wrong with "run whut ya brung" until you sort out what you like or if you're even going to go again. After all these years I've never done a bikepack, but now I want to try a sub-24 (as you did) within striking distance of pizza delivery...EPIC play!
I am someone who got my first fancy road bike in October last year and cycled a few thousand kilometres in a year, eventually building to a 180k cycle. I went through app these experiences, I remember my first 50k, 60k etc, my first clipless pedal cycle, my first clipless pedal fall, my first century, my first 1000m climb… These videos are great as they make me relive them all, definitely keep it up, winter is hard, beware of the first ice!
I can give you some advice on the clipless. I see you're trying to clip in as soon as you're getting off. You shouldn't do that and it's not needed. You can paddle without being clipped in, just keep your feet lightly on the paddels. I've also noticed that you try to stay on your saddle while stopping. This is not something you should do, only some people with tall legs can do that comfortably. What you should be doing is this: First off, clip in one of the paddles (mostly this will be your dominant foot or depending on the sideways slope, meaning you will clip in the foot that is downhill so you can lean uphill). Now put your paddle that is clipped upwards (45 degrees forward and upwards). Now push on that paddle while standing up and you'll go forward. Once going and on the saddle you can put your other foot on the other paddle. You now have time to clip (click) it in. While getting to a stop, unclip before standing still/stopping. This should be the side/foot that you have uphill or your dominant one. When standing still, just place that foot on the ground while keeping your other one clipped in. Now you can raise the clipped paddle back up, push and you're off again. Don't forget to get off that saddle when stopping. It's easier unclipping one foot, standing up on both paddles and then stop and place your foot on the ground. Hope this helps a little, gj on the journey!
