How did you all spend your Silver Week?
I spent three days in Nagano and Gunma with a senior from university. We packed minimal gear and traveled by train with our bikes.
Here is my bike setup. I really cut down on the luggage... lol
After entering Nagano Prefecture by train, I headed out of the station, climbed a bit of a mountain pass, and was greeted by the entrance to a magnificent gravel road.
The reason I removed my racks this time and opted for a handlebar bag (Porcelain Rocket/MCA), a seat bag (Blackburn/OutPost SeatPack), and a Salsa Anything Cage was specifically to ride as much gravel as possible. It’s not that you can’t ride with racks and panniers, but it was a choice made to better enjoy the "ride."
Exiting the gravel, I arrived at Sugadaira Kogen in Gunma Prefecture. I stayed the night after descending to Tsumagoi, and the next day I headed for Tsuji Pass, the highest point on a national highway. Since we went above the tree line, I got to see scenery like I haven't seen in a while from climbing a mountain. We didn't hit any unpaved roads on the second day, but thanks to the load being distributed, it was a relief that the climbing didn't feel too tough.
On the third day, we rode unpaved roads both up and down, making our way to Kenashi Pass on the border of Nagano and Gunma. It might seem like I’m only attacking mountain passes, but please excuse me as the goal is what lies in between them (lol).
I believe the charm of gravel lies in the ever-changing scenery along the way and becoming one with your bike as you push forward. Even though I had to push my bike for 40% of the route, I never felt that it was miserable at any point.
This was my first time doing "bikepacking" without using racks, and my impression is that it suits me better because I can choose rougher roads than I could with a fully-loaded camp ride, and traveling by train is much easier. Recently, UL (ultra-light) gear for camping and mountain climbing has become easier to get, so I could definitely pull off a bivy-style trip. It seems that a certain Tucson senior was doing something similar at the same time.
As an aside, while I usually carry a DSLR camera when I'm not going for a heavy ride, this time I relied on my iPhone. It actually takes pretty decent photos. I also kept a disposable camera in my pocket. I think I'll develop and print those photos sometime soon.
With perfect timing, there will be a Blackburn film screening tomorrow at Hedgehog Diner! I’ll be there at the counter. I also plan on bringing my bike with the exact same gear setup. Since it’s still a good season to sleep outdoors, I hope it serves as a reference for those of you wanting to go somewhere. Of course, feel free to stop by if you want to ask more detailed questions too.
And on Saturday, Hedgehog Diner is hosting a craft beer event. Apparently, they’ll even have craft beer from Nagano (lol).
If you have time on either day, please come by. I look forward to seeing you!