As we begin the new year, conversations turn toward resolutions whether it be saving money, ditching bad habits (or starting up great new ones), and most often – weight loss. Many of us want to ride more in the upcoming year without the focus on losing weight. Here at Terry, we put together some alternative ride resolutions designed to keep you riding without weighty worries.
Put more miles on my bikes than my car
Due to my knee injury, I resolve to follow my doctor’s order and get back on my bike to get my knee strong again!
Find a safer bike route to work.
Start riding with a new group.
Plan my cycling schedule while my commitment is strong!
Get a trailer and take my puppy for a ride.
Plan more adventures on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail.
Ride around Grand Isle with my wife – all summer!
Spend time spinning before heading to the climbing gym.
The first time I heard the word “bikepacking”, a light went off in my head – I knew this was going to be my activity of choice for my Surly Pugsley (named Wednesday). The activity is defined very much as it sounds, a combination of biking and backpacking, an off-road tour, and can last for weeks or less than 24 hours. This type of adventure has absolutely exploded in popularity in the last 5 years and along with it, specialized bikepacking gear has entered the bike scene.
Bikepacking equipment, like most bicycle accessories, range from the high-end, ultra-technical, chic, custom bags to very basic and minimalistic parts to facilitate gear attachments.
Porcelain Rocket specializes in beautiful, functional and custom bikepacking bags that minimize bulk and maximize awesome –
Outpost Handelbar Roll by BlackburnOutpost Seat Pack by Blackburn
After buying all of the special equipment, I was champing at the bit to head out on the trails and yet, I waited 5 months to set off on my first bikepacking trip.
The biggest factor in my hesitation was wanting to make sure I went on the best trail, something remote and endlessly beautiful, something not too difficult but challenging enough to keep it interesting. This trail may indeed exist but it is not the trail we ended up traveling. After much deliberation, Wednesday and I set off towards a section of the Cross VT Trail on a late Friday afternoon. There was a moment of hesitation as we started off towards the rail trail–that it would be crowded with large families and dogs–but it turned out to be just treacherous enough to leave us bounding down the path in total solitude.
Unsurprisingly, bikepacking is my new favorite activity – it has the capacity to be a huge adventure on a grand scale but also exists as the perfect weekend micro-adventure. Somehow carrying everything you need to survive (for less than 24 hours) on two fat wheels, straight into the forest makes even the most mundane surroundings absolutely marvelous.
My only advice, no matter your equipment or how much time you have, ride out and spend a night under the stars.
As Marketing Director for Terry, my life is about the art of mobility. I bought a Timbuk2 Swig out of desperation prior to a trade show after retiring an overloaded messenger bag that was making me think weekly massages were a job necessity. This bag rocks, even when filled with them. It’s low profile, ergonomically shaped for carrying laptop and ipad, plus it’s compartmentalized so that you can carry plenty of things in an organized fashion (rather than losing them in the open-pit cavern). It’s a backpack that easily let’s you swing around and access from one shoulder.
What I also love is how it is perfectly shaped to go under an airline seat and double as a footrest. We are currently stocking a stylish version in gunmetal gray with a splash of wheel print. Super features: bomb-proof Cordura® exterior with outer water bottle pocket, quick grip handle and really comfy padded straps; padded laptop compartment with outer zip for side access.
