Cycle packing or learning from other long distance cyclists..

[GirishH]

As you know, I’ve been bikepacking on and off for the past few years, so I’m always intrigued when I see fellow cyclists riding long distances on less-than-“optimal” bikes.
I’m currently in the Indian desert state of Rajasthan and recently struck up a conversation with a cyclist I met along the way. I’ve attached a few photos of him, his gear, and his setup.
   

By conventional standards, none of his equipment would be considered “optimal” or ideal for long-distance riding.
   

Yet cyclists like him—whom I’ve met repeatedly during my travels—always make me reflect on and rethink my own setup.

He also has a YouTube channel; if you’d like to follow or watch his journeys, please do.
   

[Flowrider]

That's incredible, crazy in fact. The balance must be pretty difficult to manage on some of the tracks you've mention Girish

[GirishH]

@Flowrider, I guess we learn with what we have?

I don’t know what kind of trails this kid in Rajasthan will be riding, but definitely some sand and probably plenty of unpaved roads.

   

He’s even carrying a full-size air pump. I use a small portable one I found for free on the streets of Boston..:-)


In comparison, look at this cyclist from Myanmar who crossed Thorong La (15,000+ feet) in the Himalayas with me.
   

He’s ridden far more kilometers across India and the Himalayas than I have. He had the skinniest tires and rim brakes that were completely worn out—he’d glued bits of rubber onto them for traction. Those pieces came off just when we needed them most. Still, he managed to descend safely, wearing shoes with no grip at all.


Meanwhile, I had disc brakes and trail running shoes—and was still dreading the steep descent.

Interestingly, the Myanmar cyclist’s setup looks a lot similar to the Rajasthan kid’s—except his tires were much, much skinnier. This probably is because they are going with the most affordable bicycles, gears and anything that's locally available here in India..

(12 hours ago)Flowrider Wrote:  That's incredible, crazy in fact. The balance must be pretty difficult to manage on some of the tracks you've mention Girish