Four bikes for an overnight 192 km bikepacking adventure.

98 Trek 930 (USA Made) with Velo Orange Piolet fork. Originally had a Rockshox Indy S fork with a menacing 50mm of travel before adding in sag. Trek book stated 408-430 A-C measurement. The VO 29er version fork is dead on the money. The offset is a bit longer at 62 vs 38 of the original. Behind the original Sugino Impel crank are Blackspire Rings both 74bcd in 24/32 tooth. Out back is a 7 speed cassette 13-34. Do not mind the tires, these are for around town. I have a second set of wheels with gnarly tires. Read more here

Well, at the end of this week our trip into Lesotho begins. This is our 1st bikepacking trip (newbies) and thanks to Werner (Bikepacking.Africa) we are prepared for a full out adventure. After much internet research and with the combination of our backpacking experience we took the challenge head on!!!! During October we will post an in depth story of our ride in Lesotho....with photos. This is my bike rig and I have had so much fun in getting this all together, and now it has to be tested. Can't wait.

My fat bike was a 100% impulse purchase, I remember the day I saw the first fat bike in a Macro store. I called my wife and kids to look at this "crazy" bike, something we have not seen before and could not imagine ever buying one. Forward a year and I was standing in a Specialized store drooling over a Fatboy. Not thinking where or why I would ride it I made the purchase. Remember South Africa almost never has any snowfall or nearby deserts so in retrospect my purchase was not for the fatbike's capabilities but just for looks. Today I can say with all honesty that the fatbike is a very capable all round bike for everyday use and especially for bikepacking. My Upgrades includes: 1. Tubeless Tyres - a MUST on a fatbike 2. Industry 9 rear hub upgrade 3. Carbon handlebars 4. 1x11 Upgrade 5. Oval front chainring Planned Upgrades: 1. XT brakes 2. 180 rear brake disk 3. Carbon ridgid forks Happy bikepacking!