Photos First Overnighter!

[awkwardshelby]

Years ago I used to commute to work by bike in New Mexico. I had to sell my vintage Fuji in order to get some cash to live in my car and eventually move back to Texas. Since then, I've always been infatuated by bike touring, and just never committed my time to it until recently. Thankfully, having a full time art job where I make my own schedule has helped immensely in being able to put in time and some cash.

Last night, I packed up my bike and headed to a campsite a short distance away from my house to test my gear out. All of it was perfect, somehow I managed to pack both panniers to be the exact same weight on the first try. The only complaint is that I read the degrees wrong on my walmart sleeping bag, but I still managed to stay pretty toasty. Can't complain too much though, it packs pretty small and was only like $30 or something.

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Every one at the campsite was rad and kept their distance, I had a few duck visitors trying to weasel some food out of me, and the motorcyclists next to me chatted about saddlebags. I even managed to reread @Matt Derrick 's The Anarchist Guide to Travel in one go to help brushen' up on a few things.


Stoked for more adventures in the future and more with friends/new friends. Also hoping for much safer times ahead for us all.

Checking this off my bucket list was one of the best ways to end a shitty year.

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[Matt Derrick]

Awesome! Nice to see you're getting back out there! The bike setup looks sweeeet, that sleeping bag looks like it compacts super small. What kind of bike is that?

 

[awkwardshelby]

God, I'm glad to be back at it. I've been stagnant for a little too long now.

It's a 2018 Fuji Touring Bike. I think after this model they started using disc brakes.

 

[DankBudz]

How many degrees is your sleeping bag good for? I have one thats about the same size thats rated for 45 degrees.

 

[awkwardshelby]

How many degrees is your sleeping bag good for? I have one thats about the same size thats rated for 45 degrees.

Same thing, 45 degrees. I did that Celcius to Farenheit conversion wrong when I ordered online, lmao. Luckily I had packed some thick ass socks.

 

[DankBudz]

Same thing, 45 degrees. I did that Celcius to Farenheit conversion wrong when I ordered online, lmao. Luckily I had packed

What brand is it? $30 is a good price. Mines a Ledge Scorpion, and was like 50$ at a military surplus.

 

[awkwardshelby]

What brand is it? $30 is a good price. Mines a Ledge Scorpion, and was like 50$ at a military surplus.

Got it here on walmart's website.

45 is the limit on the degrees, but comfort is around 59 F I believe. I can't ever roll it back up to fit in the bag, but stuffing it works pretty well.

 

[FoolsErrand]

Very nice trip! I like these quick outings. You can get a sleeping bag liner to gain an extra ten degrees of comfort. You can also heat water and pour it in your bike bottles if need be. Put one in your foot box and one near your midsection. You're right about stuffing your sleeping bag. Be sure to unstuff it when you get home so it doesn't lose its loft. Happy camping!

 

[awkwardshelby]

Very nice trip! I like these quick outings. You can get a sleeping bag liner to gain an extra ten degrees of comfort. You can also heat water and pour it in your bike bottles if need be. Put one in your foot box and one near your midsection. You're right about stuffing your sleeping bag. Be sure to unstuff it when you get home so it doesn't lose its loft. Happy camping!

Good tips, thanks! I'll keep these in mind when I'm in colder places. Luckily, here in Mid/South Texas, it's rare to drop below freezing.

 

[Gypsybones]

I like seeing someone on here other than myself wearing a cycling cap.

 

[awkwardshelby]

I like seeing someone on here other than myself wearing a cycling cap.

It's rare to catch me without a hat of some sort of my noggin. My normal ball cap doesn't fit under my helmet, so naturally I had to buy some bike caps.

 

[Jambalaya]

Super cool! I had a Fairdale Weekender set up for touring a few years back. I only ever really commuted on it. I went with out a car for like the first 10 years I lived in Austin, it was amazing. Then I got bitten by the motorcycle bug again.
I hope you get to do some more adventuring again soon!

 

[awkwardshelby]

Super cool! I had a Fairdale Weekender set up for touring a few years back. I only ever really commuted on it. I went with out a car for like the first 10 years I lived in Austin, it was amazing. Then I got bitten by the motorcycle bug again.
I hope you get to do some more adventuring again soon!

Siiick! Yeah, having to sell my car and commute by bike is what got me back into riding a bike. It's ultra fun, even when it feels like work.

Hoping to do some motorcycle stuff down the road. Already planning more bike stuff for this year. Thankfully a lot more campsites are opening back up again

 

[Gypsybones]

It's rare to catch me without a hat of some sort of my noggin. My normal ball cap doesn't fit under my helmet, so naturally I had to buy some bike caps.

I'm also a big hat fan, but I have long gave up the standard ball cap for bike caps and more stylish head wear. Last tour I packed a crushable porkpie so I had an option other than the cycling cap

 

[awkwardshelby]

I'm also a big hat fan, but I have long gave up the standard ball cap for bike caps and more stylish head wear. Last tour I packed a crushable porkpie so I had an option other than the cycling cap

Dang, that's a good idea. Might try to find me another hat to bring along.