Last week, I went on a two-day bike camping trip as part of a project called Blackburn’s “OUTTHERE NIPPON”.
The goal of this project is to enjoy bike packing unique to Japan by making full use of the racks, panniers, saddlebags, and other gear offered by Blackburn. There is a different kind of thrill to it compared to your everyday ride, from planning the route to loading up the bike until it's heavy with a tent, cooking tools, and food.
The location chosen for this adventure was the Matsusaka and Ise-Shima region in Mie Prefecture. We spent two days riding around the mountains, rivers, and sea.
While fully enjoying these uncharted lands we had never ridden before, I think we were able to embody what we consider to be an adventure ride.
We will post a detailed report of our adventure on a special website at a later date. It's scheduled to go up in early July, so please stay tuned.
Today, I would like to focus on the gear we used for this trip.
Cooking and camping expert, GO-kun.
His Surly Cross-Check handles everything from his daily commute to weekend rides.
“Outpost Rear Rack” and “Barrier Universal Pannier” are installed. He has a “Cargo Cage” on the downtube, which he is using to strap down his sleeping bag.
While featuring Easton scandium, this rack boasts a 25kg load capacity, making it a heavy-duty model while remaining among the lightest racks on the market. By minimizing the width, the panniers are positioned closer to the center of gravity, making the bike easy to handle even with a heavy load.
Camera lead, Shiga-chan.
Our part-time staff member, Shiga-chan, captured this adventure in photos. You can look forward to seeing his pictures on the special website soon.
He used a Surly Karate Monkey borrowed from Happy, equipped with an “Outpost Front Rack”, “Barrier Universal Pannier”, and an “Outpost Seat Pack” on the rear.
The top rack plate can be removed if necessary. Also, since the top rack is positioned to extend slightly forward, it is less likely to interfere with drop handlebars even when carrying wide items like tents or sleeping bags. (I use SimWorks Wildhoney bars, but I can mount a tent horizontally without any issues.)
Another feature of both the Outpost Front and Rear Racks is the Blackburn Fit System, which allows them to be compatible with almost any bike, regardless of wheel size or braking system.
Route planner, Shige.
Using the same setup on my Salsa Vaya that I've been using since RIDEALIVE2014, my specs are almost the same as Shiga-chan's, pairing the “Outpost Front Rack” with the “Barrier Universal Pannier”.
I attached an “Outpost Top Tube Bag” to the top tube to carry lights, my camera, and other valuables I needed to grab quickly.
We have introduced several other Blackburn items on our web shop as well.
Even when it comes to bike packing, everyone's setup differs based on where and how they choose to have fun. However, as people grow more interested in riding further and seeking out slightly more adventurous journeys, I believe you will find the perfect gear for the adventure you’ve envisioned among Blackburn’s items, which are built on the philosophy of creating critical gear that ensures you're ready for whatever lies ahead.
Why not embody your own adventure spirit?