Unlike earlier days where Bicycle Touring was popular and typically involved long trips and heavy ladened bikes and bags (in 1990, I set off for a year in Europe on a bike that weighed 80lbs fully packed!), bikepacking as an off shoot has become popular as gear has become lighter, smaller and folks have realized that even a weekend trip is good to recharge the soul. Bikepacking, while similar to touring, does have some differences that exist that have led to some changes in gear. Panniers are still viable, but for shorter trips, bags that attach directly to the frame of your bicycle are more popular.

For the Ramble, we recommend frame-mounted bags. Because they attach directly to the bike, there’s less to deal with. Off road adventures have a tendency to rattle racks loose and if you don’t check while on the ride, having a bolt or nut lost is a possibility. It’s happened on the Ramble and though not the end of the world, just one more thing that can go wrong.

Frame bags also typically have less volume, and in this case this is a good thing. Pairing down what you need to carry (or think you need to carry) can be an art and evolve over multiple trips but frame bags often focus you on the essentials. You might be surprised what you can do without for three days.

Another benefit of frame-mounted bags is that they’re separates. Panniers being larger are often packed like a suitcase: it all goes in. So if you need to access items while riding, being able to reach into a smaller bag or one that is more accessible is easier.

A typical frame-mounted setup has a seatpost bag, main triangle bag and handlebar bag. Some folks add a top tube or “gas tank” bag for small items like food, camera, sunscreen or other items one might need on the roll.

Main triangle bags typically are expandable and allow you to size as needed. Lots of riders place a hydration reservoir in the bags in addition to clothing or other items. Side pockets let you carry the essentials like a GPS or other refreshments.

Handlebar bags are a great place to stuff your sleeping kit or tent. With lots of webbing for attachments, you can strap a lot of gear here from tent poles, sandals, hat, or mascot lion. Dry bags like what you find on the Blackburn products make sure your gear stays dry in the eventual downpour.

Lastly, a seatpost bag has the ability to expand to fit a lot of clothing or other gear. Attaching to your seatpost and saddle, it’s out of the way and keeps an often larger load streamlined with your bike. As with the handlebar bag, multiple lashing points let you attach gear that you might need to get to quickly such as a jacket or rain gear.

With so many options and ways to carry your gear, there is no right way. Chances are, your style and needs will evolve over time. Head over to Blackburn and check out all they have to offer in bags, racks and tools whether you’re heading out on an overnighter, 3-day Ramble or 3 month trip across America. Plus, when you sign up for the Ramble, you get a code for 25% off Blackburn gear at Blackburndesign.com

photos by Devon Balet.

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“Built and founded with a bike philosophy behind what we do” is how Bryan describes the early days and continues to be an advocate for all things bikes for New Belgium as it grows into it’s 26th year of crafting some of the Nation’s leading craft brews.

We sat down with Bryan at the brewery to sample some beers and talk about New Belgium, the beginnings of the Tour de Fat,  bikes and their support of the Ramble.

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Checkout Amanda’s Ranger Adventure over at Blackburn. Follow along with Amanda on Instagram @small_tomatoes and her blog.

RambleCast is hosted by Andrew Yount and Logan VonBokel. We’re talking to folks who support the Ramble Ride and the Bike Packing community. Follow them on Instagram @dirtyrubber and @loganvb

Keep up with locations for Amanda’s clinics on her blog:

http://www.smalltomatoes.com/bikepacking-blog/2017/2/28/bikepacking-clinics-2017

1. Women-identifying Intro clinic: Week of June 19 / (general bikepacking orientation, story-telling, one-on-one discussion about your bike, gear, and dreams)
2. Session 1 – The Bike and the Bags: Week of June 26th / (what bike to take, how to outfit it with bags… without going broke)
3. Session 2 – Camping Gear: Week of July 10th / (it’s all about trade-offs, so what do you take, and how to you carry it?)
4. Session 3 – Nutrition, Hydration, Hygiene, and Preparedness: Week of July 17th / (this one might sound lame, but I’ve now treated several people for dehydration, extreme fatigue, and a minor concussions during bike packing… so, being prepared is cool!)
5. Steamboat Ramble 2017: July 28-30 / (a great opportunity to flex your new bike packing skills if you’re an experienced cyclist)
6. Women-identifying only Standard 24-hour Overnighter: August 5-6 / (for those women who want a manageable, first time bike packing trip. it’s tailored to the people who want to ride; a highly curated and guided trip)

If you can’t make it to Fort Collins, contact Jillian Betterly. She’ll be doing clinics in Boulder.

Photo by John Watson

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I guarantee you’ll have more fun if you are more fit.

Look, maybe you can finish this ride “off the couch,” — you wouldn’t be the first person to accomplish that — but the reason to train for this ride, just a little bit, is that you will have more fun each day. And when I say “train,” I don’t mean hire a coach, get an indoor trainer, and kill yourself every day. That will just make you end up hating your bike.

“Training,” in this case, is a couple rides a week that you would not have done before you made the decision to take on an epic bike packing trip. The Ramble has made this easy for you, as they are PROVIDING a training plan.

I know, you’ll say, “I’m in the shape of my life, I’ve never had any problem finishing a ride.”

That’s probably true but — aside from rides like the Steamboat Ramble being a 3 day, 200 mile ride, with 20,000 feet of elevation gain, and 4 mountain passes over 10,000 feet — do you want to roll into camp after dark, drained, on an empty tank, barely making it? Or do you want to arrive at camp before dinner with enough time and energy to set up your tent, with a tasty beverage in hand, while discussing how much fun you had with your fellow riders? The latter story is how you want to do this ride and it’s the way that will be most fun.

Zack earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Colorado State University. As part of his education, he participated in many hands on exercise science practicum and internships, coaching many types of athletes, specifically cyclists. Zack is rider for Team Cliff Bar, a coach for Source Endurance and owns the Training Center of the Rockies here in Fort Collins.

When you sign up with the Ramble, you get a free training plan from Zack that’ll help you get ready to rock the Ramble.

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In years past, the Ramble has often been folks first adventure into bike packing. We’ve even had folks who had never camped before a Ramble, folks who had never ridded multiple days of the milage we ride. People who’d never been above 10,000 feet unless it was in a plane. But we’ve also hosted seasoned pros, national champions and riders of divides. The magic of the Ramble is sharing the experience with people who love bikes and adventure just as much as you do. 

The format means everyone gets their own ride and there are no real limits in how long you need to get to camp. Sure we keep tabs on weather and impending darkness, but it’s your pace and you’ll find the routes challenging no matter who you are.

So come join us for 3 days of riding and adventuring. You’re guaranteed to get hooked. 

Don’t just take our word for it though:

Me, trying my best to appear unshattered around the 70 mile mark on Day Two of the Steamboat Ralleye, July 2016. My legs were heavy after having gained 8k that day, over and through 10k ft Rocky Mountain passes, and my eyes and lungs stung from the ash in the air due to a nearby wildfire. The high temp that day was in the upper 90s. It was a brutal and undenyably beautiful experience. It moved the mark on my self-perception meter, to a point somewhere between a realization that I've only just started to tap into my mental and physical capabilities and yet feeling stronger and more empowered than I ever have in my whole life. That's what bikes do, if you let them. My most sincere thanks to @corbinbrady for snapping this on good ol' 35mm film. #bikepacking #steamboatralleye #komorebicyclingteam #colorado @breadwinnercycles @revelatedesigns @ridepdw

A post shared by Jocelyn Gaudi (@joceygaudi) on Sep 27, 2016 at 12:21pm PDT

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The 2016 Steamboat Ramble crew getting ready to head out. Photo by Ian Hylands

A multi-day event, with supported ride stops and catered camps, each Ramble takes you through unique landscapes along challenging routes. The overall mileage for each ride is less than 200 miles and split as evenly as possible over 3 days of riding. We keep the routes to as much dirt as possible and cover county gravel roads, forest roads and even some double track when we can.  And the views are always amazing.

For the ride, you carry your own basic gear each day. Because we’re taking you through some spectacular and secluded locations, the goal is to carry what you’d need to be self sufficient for a 60-75 mile ride with the ability to stay overnight on route if needed. Check out “What Should I bring?” for more information.

But as challenging as the routes can be, camp life makes up for it. Fully catered, and fully stocked thanks to New Belgium Brewing, Ramble camps are the place to come together and share the day’s adventure and a few laughs with friends.

The other thing you’ll notice is we limit participation. We do this for several reasons: First is the impact on the routes. 50-60 folks riding bikes on back and gravel roads is a lot. It’s also an impact on the camp locations even though we stick to campgrounds. Most importantly, it offers an intimate experience to share with a smaller group of like-minded friends but still gives you the opportunity to find time to yourself or a small group.

Rambles in the past have been transformational for folks and quite possibly be one of the best rides you’ll do all year. The format is specifically tailored so those new to bike packing and adventure riding can participate in a setting that challenges them. And at the same time, even accomplished riders and bike packers will find the adventure rewarding. The Ramble is an event that you’ll long remember.

You know the saying that it’s about the journey, not the destination? Well, the Ramble is about both.

A typical Ramble schedule:

Rambles run Thursday / Friday / Saturday. The Steamboat Ramble includes Sunday as a travel day back to New Belgium where it starts. You’re not obligated to take the shuttle or take advantage of any final day camping, and we don’t offer discounts if you don’t.

A rider meeting is held Wednesday evening. Oregon Ramble meeting is held at Good Bike Co. and Steamboat and Asheville Rambles held at the New Belgium Breweries. Start time is 6:30 pm and they last for a few hours. Part mixer, part meeting, we’ll catch you up on any announcements, introductions and answer any last minute questions. Lodging this night is up the the participant, though we do work to provide options for those willing to camp. Afterwards, it’s a good time to get to know your fellow rider or go out in one of the depart locations. Just don’t stay out too late.

Rides depart Thursday mornings. Oregon has a later start (10am) due to a shorter day one. Both Steamboat and Asheville Rambles start at 7:30am and all leave from rider meeting locations. We reserve the right to adjust this depart time and will make any change announcement at the rider meeting.

Lunch on route is typically half way. Geography plays a part: we’re not going to fill you up before a big climb but we shoot for that mid mark. All lunch and water locations will be marked on maps distributed at the rider meeting. Natural water is available on all the routes so bring a water filter. We heavily emphasize that this is a bikepacking adventure and as such, you’re responsible for knowing your needs. We provide the tools, but if you’re looking for a Gran Fondo with aid stations every 20 miles look elsewhere.

Depart times on day two and three are up to you (kinda). Breakfast starts at 6am. If you want to start earlier, let us know and we’ll get you fed. You need to be on the road no later than 8am, earlier if you plan to stop more or ride slow. Don’t be offended if we ask you to be an early depart one day. We find this process helps manage arrival times, mingles the group better and keeps everyone in a safe corridor when on route.

The ride is sagged. On route we have multiple vehicles and one van who brings up the rear, pulling signage and any water stations. The number of vehicles differ depending on participant size, but minimally 2 vehicles and a motorcycle. We don’t want you to get in the van, but it’s there if you need it.

Medical support is also on the route. Sometimes in a van, often on a bike, we have multiple emergency medical professionals should it be needed.

Dinner is at 6 pm and stays open until the last rider is in. Our average pace on these rides is 10mph with about 60 minutes of stoping. That means most riders will get to camp between 4 pm and 5 pm each day with a 7:30 am start on a typical Ramble day. Enough time to get camp set up, clean up and have a beer or two.

The final dinner is a sit-down event Saturday night. You’ve just completed an awesome achievement. Time to celebrate. Each Ramble finale is a little different, but plan to spend some time with us at the end. Oregon and Asheville will have camping available this night. So will Steamboat with the addition of a shuttle back to Fort Collins Sunday morning since this ride is point to point and not a loop like the others.

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We take care of breakfast and dinner in camp once the ride begins and will have ride food and a lunch stop on route. And because this is the New Belgium Ramble, beer for those 21+. Water stations are on course but it’s bikepacking so don’t be fooled because you have awesome food and beer at camp. Take advantage of the ride food we offer and be prepared for a level of on-route self sufficiency. Our ride food partners are Clif and Nuun Energy. If you’re sensitive to ride food and there is a particular brand you like or drink mix that doesn’t upset your stomach, bring it. Also, don’t forget to tell us about any dietary restrictions. Hit us up in the contact list or when you get your registration information.

Off the bike.

Feel free to bring one duffle of post-ride clothing/personal items. This could be a heavier jacket for camp, clean clothes for the end of the ride, towel, wipes, whatever. Keep it to a small or medium sized duffle or pack. These items will be loaded each morning and transported to camp each day. We cannot guarantee access to these bags during the ride however so plan accordingly.

On the bike.

For what to carry on the bike, think of the Ramble as consecutive over-nighters rather than an extend tour. You’d pack different right? No need for cooking gear or main meals. No need for heavy, camp-time clothing. No need to carry things you might need “just in case”. Don’t forget your helmet though.

Do pack on the bike any personal items you’ll need (medications, sunscreen, cameras, etc.). Pack your shelter and sleeping kit. Big Agnes makes a wide range of gear perfect for bike packing. Bring layers for stops or weather. Pack a hat. Bringing some water purifying tools (drops or smaller squeeze filters suffice) is not only recommended, it’s smart to do. Pack lights. Carry ride food. Be prepared for mechanicals and flats. Blackburn has a line of small tools perfect for the Ramble

The goal is to be self-sufficient enough to move from camp to camp with the ability to bivy overnight on route if you had to. On the bike, this fits into a seatpost bag, frame bag and a handlebar bag and typically a 10-15 pound load.

It’s up to you whether to carry your mess kit on the bike or in your camp bag. You don’t need much: bowl and/or plate, cup and utensils is all. You know what the number one forgotten item is on the Ramble? Mess kits. Don’t forget.

Want to see it in a list?

Sleeping kit.

• Tent. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 is a favorite. HV is high volume so you can sit up, UL is ultra light for you gram counters. What some advice?…get the two person; just a little heavier than the one person, but oh so much more room.
• Sleeping bag. Choices, choices. You’ll want at least a 30 degree bag even for Steamboat. More if you’re a cold sleeper. Last year in Walden it got down to 25 degrees. In July. Down packs smaller, though synthetic retains it warmth better when damp. It’s about loft and trapping your body heat when it comes to sleeping bags. Big Agnes does have some cool down bags with treated down that retains loft, even when damp. What the best for bikepacking? Get the Flume UL 30 and be done with it.
• Sleeping pad. Side sleeper? Stomach sleeper? Back sleeper? If you’re a side sleeper go for something wider and thicker to manage the pressure points caused by your shoulders and hips. Stomach sleepers also benefit from a wider, thicker pad. Something like a 25″ wide Q-Core Deluxe is what you’re after. If you’re a die-hard back sleeper you can get away with something not as thick and usually not as wide unless you move around (and then check out the bag/pad system that Big Agnes is know for). An Air Core Ultra is a good example of a great back sleeper pad. Whatever you do, don’t skimp on a pad as a good night sleep is critical. Do your research and be honest how you sleep.

Clothing.

• Ride kit. The Ramble isn’t the time to try to go without a chamois unless you’re used to it. A bib or short and some sort of casual over-short is a popular choice. Giro makes great choices for women or men. A more casual riding shirt or jersey gives you the benefit of performance materials and still keeps some of the cycling functional bits like rear pockets. But a flannel shirt is always good for style points. Don’t forget a ride jacket for weather and gloves if you use them. Snow is always a possibility on the Ramble. We love epics.
• Cycling shoes. Yes. But let’s be clear: we’ve had folks ride these rides in everything from sandals to road shoes. Flats (non clipped shoes and pedals) are becoming more popular on these rides and our recommendation is to ride something made for cycling that has a stiffer sole. Hike-a-bike isn’t out of the question so something like Giro’s Terraduro is a great choice.
• Helmet. Your mom called and she said don’t forget your helmet. Bring one, any one you have. And wear it. You know who makes great helmets? Giro does that’s who. Come on the Ramble and I’ll tell you how their helmets saved my brain twice. And one time involved a goat. Now you’re curious.

Bags. Or as we say in bikepacking, the nitty gritty. See what we think here.

Looking to cut to the chase however? Get your bags from Blackburn and get riding. (and don’t forget you get 25% off at blackburndesigns.com when you sign up for the Ramble. )

• Outpost Seat Pack. Perfect place for your ride gear on the ramble. Easy access to grab an item fast.
• Outpost Frame Bag. If you’re using a reservoir, it goes in here. Plus all the other things you can’t be without.
• Outpost Handlebar Roll. A typical place for items you won’t need on the ride. Think sleeping kit.
• Outpost Top Tube Bag. Camera, phone. Phone that is a camera. Sunscreen. Essentials.

You’ll also want to bring bottles or reservoir for carrying water. Luckily, New Belgium beer comes in a nifty self-contained can that’s easy to carry. It’s almost as if bikes and beer were made for eachother.

Camp bag.

You could wear your ride clothes all the time, but you’ll make more friends if you don’t. On the Ramble, we’re all about making friends so pack your camp bag with what you need to change and be comfortable. What is this? Well:

• long pants
• fresh undies
• clean shirt
• towel
• toiletries
• heavier jacket
• etc.

You know what you need better than we do. Keep it small however. Think airline carry-on. If it fits under the seat, it fits on the Ramble.

Mess kits. Mess kits. Mess kits. 

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a gravel bike or a mountain bike. And each will be a compromise at some point on the ride. You don’t need a full suspension, but if that’s all you have, ride it. Front suspension is nice for some sections but not mandatory.

A “gravel” bike is any 700c wheel bike that can take wider tires. You’ll want to use at least 38c and we recommend 40c if your bike can fit it.

Whether you’re riding a gravel or mountain bike, there are some recommendations:

• Use disc brakes if you can. They just make everything better and if you’re doing the Steamboat edition, your hands will thank you.
• For gearing, bring a lower gear than you think you’ll need.  On a gravel bike, I ride a 34/32 and sometimes wish for more.
• But, gearing is up to you. Folks ride single speeds (even single speed/coaster brakes) and everything in between. Just know what you are getting into.
• Have a good seat.

The bikes on the Ramble are as varied as the folks you’ll meet and become friends with.

Bags for your bike are another consideration. I like frame bags so don’t require racks for my bike. You can travel light on the Ramble by not needing cooking gear so no need to over do it. A seat bag, frame bag and handlebar bag is more than enough. But, some folks prefer panniers and racks and you’ll see both on the Ramble. I’ve used both and if the Ramble is your first adventure bike packing, the bag route is the way to go. I’ll use my frame bags on all sorts of rides throughout the year and don’t have to mess with taking racks on or off. The good news is if you’re signing up for the Ramble, Blackburn is offering a pretty sweet discount for you. Head over to their site to check out the different options you have.

Niner has some great bikes for this ride. I’m partial to the RLT RDO, but you can’t go wrong with anything in their lineup.

Most important is the Ramble, even though low key, isn’t a ride to test out a new piece of gear. Make sure whatever bike you want to use is one you have spent some time with and understand it’s capabilities. 

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Let’s cut to the chase: ride tubeless. If you don’t have a tubeless pair, put some sealant in your tubes and bring extra tubes no matter what you ride. And a pump.

Ramble courses are a mix of gravel and dirt roads, with some pavement and some gnarly tire eating sections for the unprepared. The best tires really are adventure specific tires like you’ll find from Teravail. Fast rolling with enough traction to handle any of the terrain you’ll encounter, tires like the Teravail Cannonball have been my choice.

On a gravel bike you’ll want at least 38c and even 40c if your bike will accommodate. On a mountain bike, 2.2″ was the most common width but you’ll see plenty of plus sized tires as well.

We’ll have range of tires from Teravail on hand in case of emergencies, tubes you you to grab for the ride and Orange Seal provides sealant for the ride so make sure you grab some. Even if you’re running tubes, it’s a good idea to get some sealant in there to make sure you minimize your chance for flats.

Guess who wasn’t riding tubeless? These folks. Photo by Logan VonBokel

We’re your friends but not your mother. Come prepared. We’ll have sealant and extra tubes for you in case you need it. It’s up to you to remember to use them. 

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You will get tired. But who cares? On the second day on the Steamboat Ramble, I rode last over first real climb of the day and as I started to head down into the valley, I spotted two bikes leaning on trees. Nearby were Paul and Devon, taking advantage of the late morning sun and quaking Aspens. By taking a snooze.

Try that at Grinduro.

The routes we choose are challenging but it’s not a race. I tell folks that the Ramble is what you make it. Ride fast, ride slow. Stop and check things out. Have some fun. There’s no reward for being first and no one cares if you’re last to camp.

Who would blame you for holding an skid contest? Own it. Photo by Ian Hylands.

Sure we’ll prod you along and maybe require you to take a cutoff if you miss a time limit (because of impending darkness) but last year, arrivals each day ranged from 7 hours to 14. Think about that!

We take care of the destination, you take care about the journey.

When you do roll into camp, there’s food, cold beers and lots of activity for you to take part in. But maybe after a quick snooze.

Camp life is Ramble life.  Photo by Ian Hylands

On the Ramble you carry your basic bike packing gear: shelter, warm clothing, items you’d need in case of weather or need to bivvy. There are vehicles and places you can bail to get into a van, but we’ll do everything we can to help you pedal in.

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