A bit late for recommendations, but a bag of zip ties is a good investment. Zip tie EVERYTHING in the box to the bike frame. That way if the box is compromised en route nothing can fall out.

@matryderadventures

10 ай бұрын

Excellent suggestion. I'll definitely do that. Cheers 👍👍

Nice setup. 3 luxury items I brought on my last trip - 1) as well as a sea to summit pillow I took a small foam one. Made a big comfort difference 2) folding chair similar to helinox 3) aeropress go coffee maker. Regarding packing my bike for travel; a plastic mattress bag, tie wraps, tape and a tube of cling film. Lower saddle, remove handlebar, pedals and front wheel. I find baggage handlers tend to be more careful when they see a bicycle than a cardboard box. 7 flights no issues.

@matryderadventures

11 ай бұрын

I may take your advice regarding shipping in a clear bag. It makes good sense. I nearly brought my camp chair but left it at home at the last minute. A foam pillow would be nice too. Thanks for commenting 👍

Really enjoyed your videos! Thanks. Cheers

@matryderadventures

Ай бұрын

I'm glad you liked them. Thanks for watching 👍

Thanks!

@matryderadventures

5 ай бұрын

Cheers 👍. My next coffee is on you.

My suggestion would be to use pedals which an Allen key fitting, plus you could always pack some smaller items into the drink bottles eg tools socks etc to save on space

I forgot to show my down jacket. If there's anything obvious missing please let me know. Cheers everyone 👍

@egalegal2058

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking about that jacket. Maybe a pair of warmer shorts for the nights? Gas and bear spray you will buy in Canada? You will have so much fun! I wish you all the best.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Maybe you're right about the shorts. It can get cold. That quilt is insanely warm though. I may replace the thin ones with some thicker ones just in case. I will be picking up gas and bear spray once I'm there. I'll probably put the bear spray in one of the feed bags near the stem. Cheers.

@egalegal2058

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures I think your setup is pretty light. I used two Ortlieb panniers plus a handlebar bag for electronics and the tent for the overnighter last weekend. I had more clothing than you ;)

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I may need to go clothes shopping on the way😬😬. We'll see. Where was your overnighter?

@egalegal2058

Жыл бұрын

Maybe the light setup is fine and you save a lot of energy. See your Komoot follower’s tour ;)

Cnoc is a Gaelic word for a small rounded hill. Also appears in English as cnocc. And Irish as in knock (English spelling) I have binged on your videos and found them so informative, thanks!

@matryderadventures

6 ай бұрын

Interesting. I didn't know that. I'm glad the videos have been useful. Cheers 👍

Looks like you’re all organised bro. I’m amazed that box is still intact.😆

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

You know me well Bro.

@parduez

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures Yeah. Except when being cross examined eh? Eh? Schtum. Mat who???

Maybe get a roll of bubble wrap. That’s what I will be using to wrap around my frame etc and stuff in any gaps. I am sooo looking forward to your adventure. With ya all the way. Good luck 👍

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Great idea. I'll get a roll. I'm definitely going to pack it so nothing can move. Hopefully it'll be enough. Thanks for following along 👍👍

Definitely want the lock. 2 riders had their bikes stolen at the campground in Butte. Ended their trip. I love your bike. Make sure to take time to stop at the Llama ranch and Elkhorn Hot Springs.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

That's bad. I have brought a lock but I doubt it would stop a determined thief. I'll be extra vigilant in Butte. I may give it a miss. Thanks for the info. Cheers 👍

Air tags and repack with more padding and tape any lose things tapes to the bike bolts hubs etc and put a lot of padding arround hubs and gear system and brakes leveler and use brake things to keep it apart etc then tape it up the box with gorilla tape and strengthen the edges

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Excellent. I've ordered Air Tags (after you recommended them I think in a previous video 👍👍) I'll add more padding. I have some thin hardboard which I can almost line the entire box with and I'll still be under the weight limit. Thanks. I forgot to show my padded jacket too.

Make sure you put the smaller stuff like the pedals in a bag attached to the frame. Saw Ryan Van Duzer lose a few small bits like axel or maybe pedals through a few tears in the box during transport. Maybe clip a small dry bag to part of the frame with the smaller bits in them. Looking forward to following your journey. All the best!

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Excellent suggestion thanks. I'll do the dry bag thing. Thanks for commenting 👍

@kevindenogla783

11 ай бұрын

Tie wrap pedals to frame or rack.

All looks good to me, sorry I can't offer any advice as I do not have a clue! The stick stand thing looks awesome to beat anything or anyone off. You should definitely take it or make one, and that plastic bag thing to sleep on, as plastic bags are expensive these days, and you might need it🤣 I wish you all the best and have a fantastic time away. It will not be easy, I am sure, but you will smash it. I know you will. Take care and happy adventures 😊😘 And that all goes in a cardboard box with no padlock! That is ridiculous! 🤣🤣

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I'll find a new bear repellent stick/bike stand while I'm out there and I'll be happy when I'm reunited with my bike in Canada. Sending it all in a cardboard box feels very wrong!!!!!!

@juliethrower1185

Жыл бұрын

Good for you! I think the baggage department could surely come up with a wrapping device like you have for christmas trees. Your bike could be all snuggly and secure and put in a bike rack until you reach your destination. Surely they have enough room! Planes are massive 🤣

When you think thats it … what your really thinking is you bought so much gears over the year.. where is it all lol good video

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Exactly 🤣🤣. I'm seriously counting on refining all of this stuff on the way. It'll be interesting to see what has changed by the end. That would make an interesting video.

The adventure is close now! Watching this latest video I was wondering where you will be carrying your food? How many days are you expecting to have to travel between refuelling stops?

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

There are quite a lot of options to resupply along the way. Usually 2/3 days between stops. I'll keep all of my food in my framebag but I may have to adapt along the way.

Looking forward to the adventure… what happens when you get there do you ship the box to your end destination or buy another one 👍🏻

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I will get another cardboard box at the finish. Or, I'm considering buying a proper hardshell case to ship it back in. It depends on how much I spend along the way. Thanks for following along.

As someone who is very interested in doing the GDMBR, this is a series of videos I’m really looking forward to watching! Is there a specific reason that you’re taking a pedal spanner, instead of just using the 8mm Allen key that will be in your toolkit anyway? Pre lockdown, West Jet used to have a 45kg limit for a bike box, maybe worth checking 🤔 as that potential extra 10kg would save you a lot of anxiety! 🙂

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

The reasons for not using the 8mm Allen key are many. Definitely not because I didn't realise I could do that. I don't deserve to be doing this trail. I'm underqualified. WestJet do still have a 45kg limit. I can add extra packaging and may even line the box with some thin hardboard. I'll be packing it all up on Wednesday. I'll look forward to your comments when I'm on my way. I'll hopefully be able to help when you get around to going. Cheers 👍👍

@tonypaddler

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures hah, it’s an easy one to miss 🔧 🔩 🙂 Of course you’re qualified, you’ve got WestJet tickets, and you were born to ryder long distance cycle route. Great news on the weight limit. And remember to put plenty of the brown plasticky parcel tape on the corners of the box for reinforcement! Did you decide to take the Helinox chair? I’m sure I’ll have more questions in due course. Have a great trip 🚴‍♂️ 🏕 Cheers 👍

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

@@tonypaddler I'll be using plenty of tape, probably too much but tape is cheap....I'm going to take the chair. It's extremely light and I know I'll enjoy relaxing and taking in the views.

@tonypaddler

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures oh yes, a chair is an indulgent luxury but well worth the weight if you don’t intend going straight to bed after pitching camp and having supper.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I'm persuaded. The chair is coming.

I would change the wheels and the dynamo to a SON. I would want a set that are lighter, robust and reliable. I would also get ride of at least two of the metal bottles. I used to carry metal fluid containers, they look the business but are too heavy. Change them to elite water bottles and maybe just one steel bottle if you really must. I’ve found the elite ones robust but much lighter and easy to clean. Clear ones allow you to identify your volume of fluid left at a glance without having to feel the weight of the bottle. I would also get rid of the DEET, awful stuff. Consider smidge instead - not just for Scottish midges. For power banks, for a robust power back up system, if your phone does wireless charging. One of your batterbanks should be a wireless charger as well. I did a bikepacking trip on an old iPhone and my charging port failed on my phone. The phone would no longer charge from the port but would charge for a wireless charger but I had not wireless battery bank, so had to cut my trip short. I now make sure one of my 10,000 battery banks (anker) I carry also allows wireless charging just in case my port gets damaged, eg from dust or water.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I've left it a bit late to change the wheels and dynamo. If they fail on the way I'll upgrade. I'll look into the Elite water bottles. I haven't tried Smidge. I'll get some if you think it works. I agree that Deet is awful but I couldn't find anything else that works. I know you've done a lot of touring so will take your word for it.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I like the suggestion for wireless charging. I'll look into it. My phone does support it.

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures keep the steel bottles imagine how hard it is to damage them ie they last they wont break water is life

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures when you get back i give you a son hub or a pedal cell hub or a spin up hub i used all 3 on my setups .. battery banks with fast charge or solar pannel works better .. and cheaper in the long run ..

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

That would be great. Thanks 👍👍👍

Lots of good stuff. Now that you're almost done riding the GDMBR, what would you change of what you've brought?

@matryderadventures

11 ай бұрын

I need to think properly about that. I may even make a video about it. Thanks for the suggestion.

@robertmarr9104

10 ай бұрын

Please do, Mat. That would be extremely useful!

Not sure if it was covered in your breakdown kit video, but do you have a spare belt ( drive that is not for your shorts 😂). Unlikely to break one, but a bit buggered if you do

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I have a spare belt drive. I watched Ryan Van Duzer's New Mexico GDMBR video and he snapped one so I thought I'd better get one. I may now take a spare belt for my shorts too....👍👍

Wow

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

What do you think? I'm still not sure if I have the right gear but had to draw the line. I imagine you'd have gone more minimal.

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures no i would have just packed in away that i didnt have to open so many bags to setup camp ..

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

Bring the chair you love it after all day in the saddle

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures you clearly have good quality gear for sure

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

@@Bikepacking I'll bring the chair. I think you're right.

Hi Mat! Did you buy the carbon fork separately or did sonder have that option to your broken road?😊 i would hate to do maintanance on a long bikepacking trip like gdmbr to a suspension fork.

@matryderadventures

6 ай бұрын

Hi. I ordered the carbon fork separately but had it delivered to Sonder who fitted it for me. They can also spec the bike with their own carbon fork but they didn't have one in stock when I ordered mine. I'd give them a call. They will spec the bike however you want . Hope that helps.

Did you leave your disc brake rotors attached to the wheels? And did you put any sort of spacer between the disc brake pads to prevent them from closing up?

@matryderadventures

7 ай бұрын

I left the rotors on the wheels and used some specific SRAM pad spacers. The box was reinforced with thin hardboard which definitely helped. I'd probably take the rotors of next time. I wasn't fully aware of the risk.

Just trying to understand your setup just to confirm you need to unpack 4 bags to setup your system sleep one bag tent one bag sleeping bag and one bag base camp sleep clothes and one bag for the air pump .. that would drive me crazy lol .. also your frame bag got the water filter and water storage is there much room for food and how much supplies you need be fore next resupples point

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Ok. I completely get the unpacking 5 bags thing. That is insane. I think I'll move some stuff around. The water filter can live in the front bag. There's a surprising amount of room in the frame bag but I'm anticipating strapping things all over the place. Honestly, I'm going to be learning on the way. I'm starting to think I should have at least done a week long trip before this but it's too late now. The longest I've done is one night. Should be interesting.

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures ps try this that big bag at the rear top fill it with your complete sleep system ever thing you need sleep clothes air pad sleeping bag and wash kit battery bank except the tent see how that goes

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

That's a good idea. Everything should fit in that top bag and the tent does fit in the panniers. I'll do it 👍 This is why I love doing these videos. Cheers.

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures then that mean your other pannier side bag all clothes gloves arm warmers legging warmer etc and you be able to bring trousers

Pipe lagging for the frame, in the bike box, works well.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Great idea. I'll try to pick some up before I go. Cheers 👍👍

@julianhawker7672

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures Any plumbers trade wholesalers is the place to go, 28mm pipe size x13mm wall thickness is the size I find most useful. Don't forget to put a spacer of some sort between the brake pads, when the wheel is out . (to mimic the disc) Without this, you court disaster/mess/grief if the brake lever gets accidently operated in the box or moving the frame.... Good luck and have a good trip.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

There's a Screwfix around the corner from the campsite I'm at right now. I'll use spacers for the discs. I managed to pull one of the brake levers while filming this video. I had some temporary cardoard spacers which didn't quite work but helped. I think you can buy proper ones. I'll have a look. Thanks 👍

@julianhawker7672

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures 2.5mm hard plastic and a rubber band to hold in place works for me.

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

@@julianhawker7672 Perfect. I'm sure I can find something at home.

Hi Matt, I note you used a Wahoo Bolt I assume it was V2? how would you rate it on the GDMBR. Thx James

@matryderadventures

8 ай бұрын

It is the V2. I thought it was perfect for the GDMBR. I wanted a very simple line type route map and it worked flawlessly. I highly recommend it. Get used to the 'Climb' alert. You'll hear it a lot! Cheers.

@jleeming3268

8 ай бұрын

Thanks Matt. So good having your input. Oh beeps on hills I might have to cover it with a sock😊. Love the videos almost halfway though. James

@matryderadventures

8 ай бұрын

Good idea. Hope you enjoy the second half. Cheers.

Why not use 2 liter pop/soda bottles to carry water instead of those heavy metal ones? They are available everywhere, usually filled with delicious calories.

@matryderadventures

10 ай бұрын

I always use pop bottles (usually SmartWater) when I'm hiking..I thought using metal bottles would help keep the water from tasting of plastic when it's hot. It definitely worked. For me at least it was worth the weight penalty.

How stressful was it packing the bike for the return trip?

@matryderadventures

6 ай бұрын

Not too bad as we had two or three days to get everything sorted. We were also in a hotel close to the airport.

Hi Mat, did you regret not bringing your helinox chair? Or didn’t miss it?

@matryderadventures

5 ай бұрын

Hi. I didn't miss it on the GDMBR. A lot of the campsites had picnic tables. I was glad that I bought the black thin foam pad as that worked as a seating pad on wet benches and was comfortable enough if I had to sit on the ground. Cheers 👍

@astridvanbreenen3757

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Mat, for all your quick and nice replies! It’s like you said: now I’ve booked my flights I’m all excited and looking forward to my trip. But there’s sooooo much to think of and decisions to make. 🫣😄 You’re videos really are a great help and inspiration. And still the best I’ve seen, and I’ve binge watched a lot. Love your sense of humor 👍🏻

Hi Mat ,quick question ,did you say the sawyer mini is rubbish? Was that the sawyer squeeze you have? Thanks Simon

@matryderadventures

6 ай бұрын

The Sawyer Mini is useless. It clogs too quickly. I have the Sawyer Squeeze and it works perfectly. I used one for the whole AT.

@crispywetsuit688

6 ай бұрын

Sawyer Squeeze it is ..🙏 Did you back wash it or did it last your entire GDMBR journey without a back wash?

@matryderadventures

6 ай бұрын

I back flushed it but used the Cnox water bag (which I'd also recommend. You can simply attach it to the outlet side of the filter and flush it that way. You don't need to bother with the syringe. I back flushed it around three times.

Did you deflate the wheels i know it pointless but some airlines request it

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I'll be packing for real on Wednesday so will deflate the tyres. I don't know how deflated they like them to be. I'll check. Thanks.

@Bikepacking

Жыл бұрын

@@matryderadventures just soft to the touch is fine but it dont hurt going all the way down as they some times can be ass. H. O Les

No spare bibs Mat?

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking I can rinse them out as I go, but now you've mentioned it I could tear them or something. I should throw in a spare pair. Thanks for pointing that out 👍

At 13:00 I'm shouting "put the axle back in the fork!"

@matryderadventures

4 ай бұрын

🤣🤣🤣 I must have sensed your future message as I did put back in when I did the final boxing. Cheers 👍👍👍

@br5380

4 ай бұрын

@@matryderadventuresI did see, but you wouldn't have been the first person to turn up to a ride who found they'd left their axle at home.

@matryderadventures

4 ай бұрын

What a nightmare that would be. My rear axle is definitely not standard sized either. I'll be extra sure to pay attention when I'm packing for the Trans Am.cheers 👍

nice socks...

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

Finally...somebody who appreciates quality!!! 👍👍

Did i miss the puff jacket? Whish you a nice trip

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I forgot it. I always forget something 🙄🙄!! I have a very light down puff jacket which will definitely be coming with me. Cheers.

@joellevg3698

Жыл бұрын

Every bikepacker doesnt go without. Have fun

@matryderadventures

Жыл бұрын

I will. Thanks.