Ultralight MTB Touring

[MTBMaven]

Now this is what I'm talking about: Ultralight MTB Touring

I have bee an avid backpacker since I was in Boy Scouts. I went on my first backpacking trip outside Memphis TN when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. Since then I have logged thousands of nights in the backcountry.

Combining ultralight weight backpacking with mountain and road biking is very interesting to me. The feeling of being out on the open road or deep in the backcountry for days totally self sustained sounds awesome.

A few years ago I mapped route across the Angeles, starting at the 14 and ending at the 15. The total distance is about 115 miles with tons of elevation change. The trip was originally 5 days but now I think it could be done in no more than 4. I am hoping this may be the year this trip gets done. At the very least I hope to do at least one over night, totally self sustained, backcounty trip on a bike.

I think I can get my base weight (all gear other than bike, food, and water) under 15 pounds. That includes bike parts and tools, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, shelter, stove, pot, cloths, fuel, etc.

Are there others interested in this kind of crazyness?

Gear Ideas:
Shelter: Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape (11oz shelter)
Stove: SuperCat (yep it's a cat food can. weighs a few grams, costs <$1, and totally works)
Gear Bags: Carousel Design Works (A combo of the saddle, frame, and handle bar packs could carry most of the gear) A few Jandd packs could do the rest Mountain Handle Pack I (on top of the stem - Mountain Wedge Expandable (under the stem) - Stem Bag Zippered (behind the stem)

[bjammin]

This sound awesome.

[OldDogDan]

Be sure to click on the "living room couch" link on that page...

[lukewiens]

let me know the details....i have an ultra light setup. it isn't 15 pounds but not enough to slow me down.

sounds epic!!

[DISCO]

That my friend is one of the best Ideas I have ever heard. For that much output might need to resupply, but if the route takes advantage of the proximity to Mountain Communities (also for safety contingencies) I'll be your wingman. As long as we aren't trying to set some kind of speed record this will be a blast.

[Schecky]

I've used something similar to the Super Cat stove before.
Works very well.
Sounds like a lot of fun. I wish I had the time.

[Pain Freak]

Fascinating, like I said before, I'm in. Problem is I don't have a single item they've mentioned.

Nice find.

What's your timing on this?

[MTBMaven]

Timing is totally up in the air unfortunately. I am arranging my goals for next year and most of them include large amounts of time. CA Triple Crown, the PF LV to Fontuckey tour, possible SF to Pas tour, endurance racing. It sounds like it's going to be a busy year. Plus I am trying to get work to send me to project management training at CalTech, which is 10 weekends between Jan - March. Career vs. riding...

[OffRoadie]

I'm VERY interested. I have some backpacking experience, and have some gear related to that. I'm not an ultralight guy though, more of a light guy.

[Rob]

I'm building up my 45 $ Nashbar Steel MTB frame for trekking. I can't wait to get into off road touring.

Check out the journals here on people who have done some off road touring or "Trekking" Most list their equipment and is a very valuable source of info.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/c...ategory_id=191

Another good lightweight shelter is a Hennessey Hammock.

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

If you haven't been to this forum yet, there is a wealth of info.
http://bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=47

If you are up for making this a group ride I would definitely be in.

[Rob]

You can even go lighter by not bringing cooking supplies and just eat fods that don't require cooking.
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=363723

[donkey]

Would you mind posting a brief synopsis of the loop you have planned? I'd love to check it out on a map to get a feel for it.

I'm game for giving it a shot sometime soon. I've been dialing in my kit for multi-day riding and I need a few long local rides to put the final touchs to the test:-)

My setup revolves around a 3" Lenz Leviathan 29"er with a light rear rack(yup....a rack on an FS bike). Between the rack, a Wingnut Enduro pack and a small frame bag.....I've got my space issues dialed!

Check out Montbell.com. You can get a bag and shelter well under 2lbs.

B

[MTBMaven]

I have the route mapped in Topo. If anyone has this program and wants the project file shoot me a PM. I have a pretty recent version of the software but might be able to save the project file in an older version.

Basically the route starts in Soledad Canyon off the 14
climbs up to Mt. Gleason.
Descend fireroad to Big Tujunga Reservoir.
Climb up to Big Tujunga, left of Angeles Forrest Hwy, right on Upper Tujunga to Colby Ranch.
Climb Colby trail up to Strawberry Peak trail to Red Box
Reb Box Rincon to Hwy 39
East on East Fork of San Gab
Climb Cattle Canyon on Coldwater Canyon Truck Trail to Cow Canyon Saddle
Drop into Baldy Village
Climb road from Baldy Village to San Antonio Falls/Manker Flats fireroad to Baldy Notch
Descend from Baldy Notch on Baldy Road fireroad
Climb to Sheep Truck Road,
Descend Sheep Truck Road to Lone Pine Canyon
Short jaunt from there to Cajon Junction

According to Topo 115 mile with 24,771' of gain and 24,237' of loss.

[MTBMaven]

Brian,

To return the favor for your thoughts on my monstercross bike let me know if you have any questions about lightweight backpacking equipment. I have a subscription to Backpacking Light if you need some reviews on gear.

Montbell is nice and has some pretty light stuff, especially bags. Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends are also two well know high end bag makers. I personally have a 1 pound down bag I picked up at REI when I used to work there. In the right stuff sack it gets to the size of a cantaloupe.

For shelter I like the idea of a tarp that is almost a tee pee. Silnyon is the only way to go. I like the Black Diamond Beta Light, Integral Designs Silshelter, and the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape. Seeing as I will not have trekking poles on this trip Gossamer Gear sells individual poles in Aluminum and Carbon. Honestly I think I will hit up REI to see if they have a few sections of pole I can snag for free.

[MTBMaven]

Great looking new stuff from Jeff at Carousel Design Works
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=363190

[DISCO]

I'll be taking the last week of this year to explore Catalina and put this theory to the test. If anyone else is down............

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by Rob

I'm building up my 45 $ Nashbar Steel MTB frame for trekking. I can't wait to get into off road touring.

Check out the journals here on people who have done some off road touring or "Trekking" Most list their equipment and is a very valuable source of info.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/c...ategory_id=191

Another good lightweight shelter is a Hennessey Hammock.

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

If you haven't been to this forum yet, there is a wealth of info.
http://bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=47

If you are up for making this a group ride I would definitely be in.

Why'd you sell the LHT?

[MTBMaven]

More lightweight bikepacking products.
Tubus Fly rack:
$100
11 oz.
39 lb. capacity


(click photo for link)

[Pain Freak]

Or you could go with this...



My new BOB should be here in a week or so.

[Jslow]

This guy has ultralight bikecamping down pat...My personal hero

http://www.tourdivide.blogspot.com/

I dig on his set up which has changed from his first tour on the divide... I don't think I could do it without a decent handlebar bag at which Matt would laugh...

Jandd makes a nice one and even had a few on the deep discount,, they double as a mapholder/viewer. Also one I almost bought yesterday was from REI the novara... with h20 proof zippers front and side pockets and helps to facilitate a trough style feed system while on the bike...
http://www.rei.com/product/733832.... I know a couple people that used bags like this for long backcountry expeditions... I hade this one http://www.rei.com/product/733832... I also had the bar map of the gods... by cycoactive bc my cues fit in there... I slung the bag over the front attached the straps that went for the stem to the brake cables... no it didn't do much... but wish I had one of those bigger ones...


I should have looked on their website and ordered the deluxe bag... but I wanted that instant gratification so I bought this one...http://www.rei.com/product/733834. Its nice if you want to ride all day and not have anything on your back.... pockets galore... 400cuin is pretty big. I was thinking of rigging something so I could strap my thermarest to the side of the rack...but first I need another stuff sack for it....

Long post. I'll stop or I will go crazy