My latest rig. Here it is packed up for a 90 mile overnighter along the CDT by the Chain of Craters Scenic Byway in western New Mexico.

Happy travels!

W
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Love my Klein! The stuff sacks have little handles at the bottom that I attached to the frame via velcro tabs. Anchors them pretty well together with seat rail straps. No thigh rub either. My sleeping bag and clothing are in the seat bags. Stove, food, tarp and rain coat on my back. Sleeping pad, tools,first aid and snackage on the bars.

Sage advice. On a recent trip (here in New Mexico) I rolled up my tent and found a tarantula that had sought shelter from the chilly night underneath it. Was still chilly and it was moving slow so we all got to observe it from a safe distance. Its a little disconcerting to see such a large spider, but they are harmless and very cool looking. I encounter them fairly frequently. At certain times of year, I see them smashed on the roads in large numbers in western NM.

My main concerns in the backcountry are bears, mountain lions and rattle snakes. But as with many things - if you don't bother them, they most likely won't bother you.

For the record, I have only encountered a scorpion once - on a float trip down the Grand Canyon. No one was bitten, but it is a formidable looking creature!

I am trying to plan a trip October 13/14 or 20/21. This will be in the Chain of Craters area along the Continental Divide near Grants. Many options but will be an overnighter. Trying to persuade the wife to go with me, but if that doesn't work will do solo or try to find someone else (putting out feelers here...)

Distance can vary. The byway is about 40 miles with many exploratory options along the way. If doing it solo, I will need to loop it back to the car which brings it to about 80-90 miles. There are other options, too.

A few fun things to figure out:

• My new bike does not have rack mounts (which is how I have done it in the past) and so I am going to try and attach a dry bag to the seat/seatpost. Almost there...
• Looking to build an alcohol stove. Never brought a stove bikepacking before, so this will be new. Its gonna be chilly in the AM so seems worth it. I have an msr whisperlite but want something even lighter.
• Trying some new ideas with shelter. Wanting to make a 12 X 12 Tyvek tarp which can be configured in numerous ways. But can't seem to find Tyvek in anything larger than 10ft. Will still work but not as ideal.
• Looking to make some camp shoes/sandals from old insoles. Not my idea, but they look great.

Let me know is anyone has interest. Trying to get the wife to commit or not in the next week so I know how to plan.

Thanks for the reply. I would be interested in some info on Silver City trips especially. I love that area, though I have not biked there, just car camping with the family. I need an excuse to get back down there.

This weekend I'll be scouting out part of my Chain of Craters to Gallup route through the Zunis. No camping, though - just a full-day explore to see if I can make it over the divide and to check on a potential water source. Planning to do Chain of Craters to our land near El Morro in October and then be ready to try the full ride to Gallup in spring or summer. We'll see...

[imeugeneius]

I would be interested in finding more out about any trips you all have planned (either imeugeneius or ekloco) I live in ABQ and we have some land in the Zuni mountains near El Morro Nat’l Monument that is a good jumping off point for a number of excursions. My next trip is likely to be a 2 or 3 day outing from our place, over the Continental Divide, and up to McGaffey. That’s where some great singletrack is (and where the 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest event is held each year). My idea, if time permits, would be to bike up there, spend the night, ride those trails the next day, stay there again and then return on the third day.

I’m game for other journeys as well. Fall or spring ride through the Chain of Craters would be nice and could connect on the south end to Pie Town or the north end into the Zunis (or even all the way to Gallup).

I have not done a lot of bikepacking, but plenty of backpacking and canoe tripping so I've got gear and experience. Married with 2 kids, so time is my greatest demon...

A recent solo overnighter in the Zunis: http://highaltitudehomestead.blogspot.com/
24 hours in the Enchanted Forest (to see videos and maps of trails there): http://www.ziarides.com/24hitef/

I also just wear my bike shoes or none at all. But to reiterate, that insole sandal idea is awesome! I'm thinking hard about that one.

Ride what you got! This is my most recent rig (since upgraded to an '03 Klein Attitude). '94 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo with a rigid fork. This was for an overnighter in the Zuni mountains, western New Mexico. I purchased no extra gear for this trip except the water bottles (which were cheaper than bike bottles and worked just as well). Sadly, I sold this bike last week. Now gearing up to outfit the Klein!

Dude! Very nicely done. Great write-up and pics. An inspiration!

I have fond some very good REI deals during their "scratch and dent" sales. Its a bit of a madhouse, but I got a great 40 degree down bag that packs super small for $50 last year. That Mountain Hardware pack is a good looking buy, too.

My brother recently rode the Death Ride (road riding, I know...) and took his very expensive bike in a soft case on the plane. I was surprised he didn't use a hard case as his bike is mostly carbon and a bit delicate, but he went this route because folks at his LBS who travel and race often, said they prefer it and have never had any problems. Another friend had a derailleur hanger bent with the soft case, but that's the worst I have heard of.

I would be much more nervous about shipping than flying with the bike. I recently shipped some boxes with UPS from CA to NM (non bike related). Not that far, right? How damaged could they be? When they arrived, it looked like giants had played soccer with them. Or maybe rugby. I mean, some serious effort went into damaging these things. I was impressed - in a disturbing and annoyed kind of way. After that experience, I would not ship my bike via UPS.

Overnighter in the Zuni Mountains, New Mexico