Bikepacking - the dream v. the reality

[psling]

Recently there have been a few threads on here discussing the current trend of articles and videos promoting and advocating bikepacking as the 'big new thing' and following Stuart's observations that bikepacking will never become oversubscribed because of the amount of effort required to get out there and get physically and mentally uncomfortable to achieve a state of well-being, I though I'd add to the debate by suggesting some differences between the marketed dream and the reality.

1/ Dream: well defined easily followed paths with rideable surfaces.
Reality: nothing to see on the ground except tussocks and bog.

2/ Dream: level grassy bivvy spot next to clean running water with a fire pit.
Reality: uneven sloping pitch, slugs and midgies, the perfect site 500m down the track in the morning.

3/ Dream: no need to poo for the length of the trip.
Reality: squatting over a scrape trying to hold bib-straps out of the way just as a rambling group from the Womens Guild appear in the middle of nowhere.

4/ Dream: warm, clear, dry weather for the whole trip.
Reality: rain, cloud, mist for at least half the trip.

5/ Dream: effortlessly riding 100 scenic km per day.
Reality: knackered, cold and wet after 50km.

6/ Dream: hot gourmet food prepared in nano-weight pans over a nano-weight stove.
Reality: tepid, cardboard textured re-hydrated food.

7/ Dream: clean, accessible water sources along the way.
Reality: drinking through a filter straw from a stagnant puddle of smelly sludge shared with the local insect population.

8/ Dream: Michelin star eateries at convenient locations.
Reality: Spar cold-food shelf.

9/ Dream: Warm, comfortable nights under the stars.
Reality: Cold, fitful nights on a deflating mat under a cloudy sky.

10/ Dream: an enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding trip in beautiful countryside.
Reality: an enjoyable, fulfilling and rewarding trip in beautiful countryside

Feel free to disagree, dispel me of my prejudices or add to the list.

[Blue Wheeler]

I love this and because of 10 it's all worth the effort

[fatbikephil]

There does seem to be a tendency in all this towards 'if its not miserable weather and your not suffering, its not bikepacking'
Just done an overnighter and the weather was fab, the trails dryish and the scenery stunning. I did a reasonable distance and finished tired but not wrecked.

The only 'suffering' was the fact that my bivvy was at 450m and it got a bit chilly to the point I kept dreaming I was freezing cold in a tent, only to wake up to find I was freezing cold in a tent (well bivvy bag / tarp)

[BigdummySteve]

I’m currently residing next to a very picturesque lake, got in from work to an empty house (family away visiting outlaws) avoiding the temptation to crash out on the sofa with an ale I threw some kit on the bike, purchased the regulation pot noodle and liquor. Stopped at a canal side pub for some sports hydration and then rode another 7 miles.

Overtime on a Saturday is now a distant memory, it’s not hardcore, I’ve not suffered in the slightest and I’m loving it. As I type the thunder is rumbling is the distance, the unseasonably hot weather is finally breaking, but I’m out. I could be on the sofa, Bikepacking is great

[Bearbonesnorm]

I believe that while there often is a noticeable difference between the reality of bikepacking and the marketed dream, no one actually sets out to 'suffer'. The key is simply being open to whatever befalls you whether it be good or not so good. Also, we probably need to remember that, 'grim' makes for a better story and often longer lasting memories than 'nice' ever will

[ScotRoutes]

I believe that while there often is a noticeable difference between the reality of bikepacking and the marketed dream, no one actually sets out to 'suffer'.

I'm going to disagree in a non-specific manner in order to be diplomatic.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'm going to disagree in a non-specific manner in order to be diplomatic.

Are you thinking ITT and the like Colin? I wonder whether, where one person sees suffering, another sees a challenge?

[Asposium]

....no one actually sets out to 'suffer'.....:

Indeed, as a hobby, interest, past-time call it what you will if there wasn’t a degree of expectation for at least type two fun, ideally type one-point-five fun I might go find another hobby.

I believe expectation of what entails “”fun”” varies from person to person; most of my work colleagues think I’m nuts, friends think I’m me, to you guys I’m likely a novice.

The big brands need to sell a dream, reality doesn’t work that way; there’s weather.

[viragevitesse]

Ah this made my day reading this. I pretty much only registered with this forum so that I could express my appreciation for this discussion. The whole commercialisation and branding of this activity of riding long distances with things strapped to your bike does rile me a bit because probably like a lot of you lot here, I've been doing it since before it had a name, and long before someone had 3D printed a combo mount to hold both a GPS device and dynamo light onto my handlebars, two things I of course now can't go anywhere without, yet a few years ago never even knew I needed them to ride a bike.
I was chuckling to myself on the weekend during a two night ride through the Australian alps (yes we have alps!) thinking of some of these ten dream vs reality points, especially #3, in addition to holding your bibs out the way, wondering how long your burning quads will hold out before you completely crumble into the ground and smear yourself in your own filth. Not the kind of thing you would normally see discussed in a Crikey, how much marketing campaign about the glamour of bikepacking!
But this seriously is a miserable pursuit that we seemingly cannot help inflicting on ourselves over and over again. Why can't I just be ordinarily happy? Yep that's your great Peter O'Toole I'm quoting there.

[Asposium]

4/ Dream: warm, clear, dry weather for the whole trip.
Reality: rain, cloud, mist for at least half the trip.

maybe this weekend's WRT was a dream?
did stu perhaps add something to the tea?
weather back to normal for next year?