[Closed] A scratch I had to itch Packrafting with a bike obviously!

I'd seen on Strava that you'd done a route with "Blue bits" (™ Rachael Atherton)!

Not heard of a UK guidebook. As for routes, find a track that leads to a loch/lake with a track at the other side!

Fisherfield is one trip I've seen video of - in via Strath na Sealga to Sheneval, HT route over to Carnmore and back out via Fionn Loch.

Loch Maree is another loch worth investigating but I've seen tales that the winds can be unpredictable on there.

The area south of Suilven is one that some of the BB crowd did a couple of years ago - worth finding the trip report over there.

Huw Oliver and Annie his girlfriend did a trip out on the Outer Hebrides, report and video on bikepacking.com. They also did a trip in Knoydart which I think is also on bikepacking.com

I did a taster weekend a couple of years ago - quite a bit (actually a lot) more to it than meets the eye if you've not done any water sports before. I'd do another course to pick up more of the basics. Even as a complete novice it was noticeable just how individually the different boats handled. Enjoyed it but the cost of buying a raft each was way more than we could justify for the amount of use we'd have for them.

That looks epic. What amazing weather!

West highland way sans ladders:

singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/wet-highland-way-duathlon-with-the-wean/#post-9460164

Looks great, I saw a pic on lakesmtb insta feed earlier the stillness on the water is amazing.

Cheers Bob yep seen a few vids by Huw and Annie and after visiting Knoydart a couple of years ago I fancied the crossing there to the bothy

Loch Maree is on the radar Ive camped there a couple of times

Got the faffing down to 20 mins and Ive only blown it up 3 times looking forward to the bike packing bike on it with all the gear.

I should do a course maybe get up to Aviemore in May

Ahh, that’s not fair, that looks just stunning! What a way to spend the day... Not jealous, no, not at all.....

I've paddled my packraft in Loch Maree before. Pretty nice spot!
You can carry it on to the loch inside the island on the loch and on to the island in the middle of the loch inside an island in Loch Maree

Ive heard of the Loch Maree Island  🙂

Thanks for posting, looks really peaceful in those pictures. Do you have any good tips or sources for securing the bike? Recently got a basic packraft off ebay, have only tried a few test runs on flat lochs so far but couldn't find a good balance of bike being snugly tied down and not interfering with paddling and feeling unsteady. Pushing bike further towards bow felt too unstable for me, plus am still well over 20 min faff before get going properly. Using paracord but thinking that voile straps or similar might be simpler and secure better but also dearer.
On location tips, have only been able to go local to me in Dumfries and galloway so far with packraft so has been a bit artificial and only short trips but still plenty of options. Further afield would back up the knoydart idea, had one of best holidays ever camping and canoeing up west coast in knoydart area, highly recommend. If had had a bike /packraft combo would possibly have been a good way to break up some of longer paddles and avoid the exposed sections going in and out of lochs.

Hi Tom I,m a complete novice but ok on the bike packing thing and Voile straps are ace! I bought 6, 4 for the main frame wheels and two smaller ones for the handle bars and chain stay. its pretty secure.

Nice little route, nice pics, good fun day out Sir.

Cool thank you for the advice, sorry for putting you on the spot, just interested to seeing a successful set up. Will give voile straps a try, have only heard good things so will just get on and get some and give it a go.

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I got the bike on the raft very securely with two medium length bungee cords. Mine has 4 loops at the front for that.

Took the wheels off and put them closest to raft, with frame etc on top.

Been faffing got it fitted to my Bike packing bike  which is the bike I will probably use most of the time. Sleeping bag and mat will now be on my back. Voile straps come in very handy not only attaching bike to raft but raft to bike 🙂

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Next adventure planned when we are allowed 🙂

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/tue-02-mar-2021-20-21-1141938?fbclid=IwAR0oRTIs3O2-ghuHbiffbDhdSNB66JHoBlGqjy6jhrHlar7IOOZnveIhA6Y