Drivetrain

External or Internal?
The question should really be bombproof or vunerable?

Seriously for the ultimate bombproof bikepacking drivetrain you can't go past a Rohloff Speedhub. I've used various drivetrains over the 22 years that I have mountain biking. Thirteen of those years has been on a Rohloff Speedhub. None are as reliable or shift with consistency in ALL weather conditions as well as the Speedhub. I've toured countries, raced various endurance mountain bike races and racked up excessive commuter mileage on a Speedhub and I'm yet to find its equal. Yes, there are other lighter drivetrains out there. Yes, there are cheaper drivetrains out there. If you want a drivetrain that will continue shifting mile/kilometre after mile/kilometre, no mater where in the world you are, no mater what weather Mother Nature is throwing at you, get a Rohloff Speedhub. 

Navigation??

So getting from A to B while "on the road"? What's the best way to plan your trip and navigating while on the bike? After much research and asking other bikepackers out there I settled on a Garmin ETrex 30.

After use I can understand why the ETrex is the bikepacking GPS of choice. As the Etrex is designed for hiking the tracking of location and indication of actual speed is far more accurate than cycling specific GPS units I have used in the past. The joystick/button control interface seems positivity 1980s game console in comparison to modern touch screens, but is ultimately more useable while wearing gloves, in the blustery rain and when mud splashed. The screen and map resolution also remind you of a dated gaming console in comparison to other hi-res modern units, BUT the battery life more than compensates for that! Using standard alkaline batteries the  Etrex lasts for 25 hrs! Additionally an external battery can be connected to continue unit function if the internal batteries are running low. Although some of the features of the Etrex seem dated, the durability and useability in the field more than make up for the reduction in wizzbangery. 

How to create GPX map files. 

So far, in my experience, the easiest way to create a route to load onto your Etrex is to use:

Mapmyride.com

Join up, become a member for free, and find your way to "create a route". Using the map tools create your map and save it. After saving this screen will appear:

 

Now this route needs to be saved as a GPX file so you can load it into your Etrex  unit. In the right hand option box there is the "Export this route" option:

Select this and follow the dialogue boxes that your computer pops up, and save the file to your desktop. This file MAY NOT have a file type designation or a legible name. Rename the file and give it a ".gpx" ending. Connect your Etrex via USB cord to the computer. Open the device from the desktop "Garmin" icon using file manager and open the GPX folder. Drag and drop the route GPX file into this folder. This route map can now be accessed through the "Track Manager" icon in the main menu of your Etrex unit. The route map can be viewed, after loading, in the "Map" function, if you happen to be switching between "Map" and "Trip Computer". 

Preperation For Two Brothers Crazy Adventure

Although this Blog will cover items of general Bikebacking information and the BVRT, it also will chronicle the miss-adventures of the Cooke Brothers on their Cooke Bro's Kiwi Brevet.

The Cooke Bro's Kiwi Brevet will start in Auckland and terminate in Queenstown 2400km and 20 days later.

We have had some hiccups along the way but tickets are payed for, equipment purchased and itinerary/logistics devised.

We (my brother and I) have to thank Paul of Rohloff Australia for all his support for this venture and in the past.

In November the madness begins!