Bikepacking with Cascade Bicycle Club
What is bikepacking?
Bikepacking is similar to backpacking, except instead of hiking you are doing it by bike. Instead of carrying a backpack full of gear (tent, sleeping bag, food, etc.), you carry it on your bike in panniers, bike bags and sometimes a cargo trailer. It usually involves multiple days.
I used a combination of a cargo trailer and one pannier (saddlebag) to carry my gear. This trip with Cascade was actually my first time riding multiple days and carrying my own gear. When I was in the Netherlands, the tour company carried my gear to the next location.
Day 1
I almost didn’t go on this bikepacking trip. The weather didn’t look promising when I got up Saturday morning. It was raining and chilly. Plus, the route was changed and it involved a steep hill. While I can usually manage most hills, I was uncertain I could make it to the top with all the gear I needed to carry. After consulting the hourly weather and texting back and forth with Maxwell and Zach, I decided to get off my butt, start packing and join them.
After loading my bike and gear on my car, I drove to the Renton library to meet the others going on the overnight trip. I found a residential street to park my car overnight, then unloaded my bike and hooked my cargo trailer to it. As I was loading gear into it, I realized I forgot my sleeping pad. I dreaded sleeping on the ground without any padding! Once loaded, I rode to the library where I learned that only 15 of the 30 people signed up were still going on the trip.
I mentioned to Maxwell that I forgot a sleeping pad. He asked if I wanted to ride to REI with him since he needed to pick up a few things from there. While the rest of the group departed for our main destination, Max, Jeff and I rode to REI.
At REI I hated paying for another sleeping pad when I already had one, especially since the cheapest one was $45. Luckily, they were having a 20% off sale for members, so that saved me a little money.
After our purchases, we departed and rode at a brisk pace of around 18-20mph to catch up with the rest of the group. We met up with them somewhere in Auburn where we planned a stop at the Safeway. Soon we were off, again, with about 15 miles until we reached our destination.
A few miles before Green Apple Alpaca Farm, I had to face the dreaded steep hill. I got about halfway up before needing to stop to catch my breath. With my heart still pounding, I pushed my bike for a bit. It was hard since the gear made it so heavy. After walking close to the top I was able to hop back onto the bike and continue the rest of the way. It was so nice of another rider to join me as I struggled up that hill! I wish I could recall her name (she was just riding and not spending the night like we were).
Once we reached the farm, most of us went to greet the animals while waiting for the bike stragglers to arrive.
When everyone finally arrived, Zach pulled out the pizza while tables and chairs were set up in the barn. Maxwell also pulled out bags of salad. The pizza hadn’t stayed hot, so the boxes were put into the oven in the barn (yes, there was a full stove & oven in there). I must say the pizza tasted a lot better once it was hot!
After dinner, everyone set up their tents around the field. There was so much space that we were able to really spread out for some privacy. In the middle of all the tents, a propane gas pit was set up. Maxwell had carried a large bottle of propane on the front of his bike (he likes living dangerously, I guess). We also got to see them feed the 3-week old baby Jersey calf.
I was pretty tired and climbed into my tent around 9:30pm. Others stayed up until around 11:30 and were enjoying the fire pit and some drinks. I tossed and turned until well after midnight before I fell asleep for a bit, only to wake around 3:30 to use the toilet. I think the roosters heard me because one started to crow at that un-Godly hour!
I managed to go back to sleep, but didn’t really feel rested when I got up around 8:15am after hearing others up and about.
Day 2
When I emerged from my tent, just about everyone was over in the chicken, duck and geese pen watching as they got fed their breakfast. They were just finishing up when I walked over. Everyone was heading to the goat, sheep and male alpacas and llama to feed them (the females were in another pasture). The animals went into a frenzy as their feed bowls were put out! It didn’t surprise me to see the goats scurrying to see what the alpacas and llama were eating and stealing their food (since I once volunteers at a family farm at the zoo and saw a lot of this behavior).
I mixed up some granola with strawberries and rice milk for my breakfast. Since I also forgot my coffee mug, I borrowed one from Maxwell so I could make some pour-over coffee using my Jet-Boil to heat the water. Fresh eggs were supplied, along with a skillet, oil, a big bowl and a whisk. Soon, Dale was whipping up some scrambled eggs, using herbs he brought and some cheese supplied by one of our group members. Kandi also gave us a bunch of Russian blue kale to go with our breakfast, plus a group member donated some cherry tomatoes. I usually have to be in the mood for eggs, but it looked and smelled so good, I had to have some….it was delicious!!
After breakfast, everyone started to pack up their gear. We departed shortly before 10am.
In spite of not getting much sleep, the ride was nice as we made our way back to Renton. We even passed a new park along the Green River Trail where we stopped for photos and a bathroom break.
When we got back to Renton, I rode in circles for a bit before I found my car (I could barely remember where I parked it). I was starving by this time, so as soon as I was loaded up I drove to Popeyes for some lunch before heading home. It was such a great weekend and I finally have my first bikepacking adventure under my belt!
