Number two of my bikepacking journals.
You can rear the last one here : “My Bikepacking Journal #1″
Okay, this trip was in a warmer weather than last time. Riding with a t-shirt felt nice in the day time. However, early mornings and nights were still cold at the point where I needed a puffer jacket, which makes the bikepacking a bit tricky.
Bike : Black Mountain Cycles La Cabra
Date : April 8-9th 2025
Weather : Sunny
Temperature : Day time 17°C/62°F, morning and night 4°C/39°F
Campsite : Fumotoppara Campsite
Route : Kawaguchiko Station – Fujimiya Shizuoka(50㎞, climb 800m)
Main Storage : *FAIRWEATHER* handlebar bag ADV (custom color)
I loaded my cooking equipment, tarp and camera equipment in the bar bag, then loaded a packable jacket on top using the Cargo Net.
It’s almost the same exact set up as last time, so I’ll write some more details. The Handlebar Bag ADV’s width is the perfect size for the Cascade Wild table.
For this trip, I tried my first tarp camping, so I didn’t have to bring my tent, which was a huge difference than last time. I had to use both sides of the fork to mount camping gear, but this time, I was able to load a water bottle on the fork.
The last set up
This time
The white bag in the picture below is the tarp I brought. As you can see, this is way smaller than carrying a tent.
Here are my cooking equipment, except I didn’t bring the gas can, since it was heavy.
I instead tried the alcohol stove. Again, this is way smaller than a gas can and the stove for it.
To your left is the stove and gas can and to your right is the alcohol stove.
I do want to point out that the alcohol stove is twice slower to boil water compared gas stoves. Gas stoves are way easier, so it’s always hard for me to decide which to take.
The alcohol stove does look cool though.
I put my cup ramen in the Dry Sack to keep it away from the cold wind. I don’t know if it works, but I saw Ayumi from Jindaiji Mountain Works doing the same thing, so I copied here.
(Ayumi’s cover was lined with aluminum sheet btw)
Okay, back to bags.
I put my Fairweather Bike Carry Bag and the Rain Poncho inside the side pockets. Look how perfect it fits!
The Swift Zeitgeist also has side pockets, but they are not this big, so I guess this is one of the benefits of the Bar Bag ADV.
Speaking of which, I used my Swift Zeitgeist as a saddle bag.
In the Zeitgeist, I loaded clothes and toiletry stuff. On the last trip, I used an air mattress, but I took my closed cell sleeping bad. It’s bulkier, but lighter.
However, getting off and on the bike becomes a bit difficult. It looks cool, but not practical.
I used the *CARRADICE* bagman QR (L) like last time. It features a quick release, so I put everything I wanted to use in the tarp in the saddle bag.
Clothes, toiletry and sleeping bag.
I stowed the Fairweather Packable Sacoche, Voile Straps and Austere Straps , just in case I had to carry more stuff.
Full Frame Bag：FAIRWEATHER Custom
Again, same as last time. I put everything I wanted quick access in here, since the bag has a zip closure.
Tools, repair kits, light, batteries, sunglasses and snack were in this bag.
Last but not least, *FAIRWEATHER* hip pack.
I put a camera lens, batteries, SD cards and other stuff I wanted close to myself.
Things to Improve
I don’t think I need improve anything dramatically now, but I would like to make the set up lighter, in terms of both volume and weight. I think that is my next goal.
I learned a lesson to bring my rain gear all the time, but luckily I didn’t have to use them this time.
While I’m glad the weather is nice, it’s a bit of a hassle to carry it around when I’m not going to use it. However, since it gives me such a great sense of security, I think I’ll keep carrying it with me.
