You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hello, any one ridden/pushed this recently. Heading off to do it later in year and still in a dilemma over footwear. Bike and luggage options sorted but I always ride spd but with acclimitisation hikes planned and hike a bike they may not be great. Tried approach shoes and flats last night but not great I think for the riding for me. I can’t afford the luxury off 2 pairs off shoes I’m my luggage. Any experience folks?
I always ride spd
Then ride with SPD.
acclimitisation hikes planned and hike a bike
The get some SPDs with a decent sole that you can hike in.
Shimano MT91 or whatever is the latest? There might be snow higher up. You might be fine in anything (we had 5:10 freeriders).
Pear Izumi Alp X Launch are really good for bike-a-hike sections, you can find them for £70 online
I can't think of anything I'd be particularly happy to both ride in (has to be SPD) and hike in (hike a bike is different of course, you just have to get on with it). For me, separate pairs is the only option, unless you want to seriously compromise. I'm not sure I follow....What are you flying out in? Can't you use those for the separate hikes?
Hiking boots and flats. Don't need to be massive mountain boots but I'd rather not have cleated shoes there. Depends how much HAB you expect - the AC has a fair amount of jeep track but still, altitude gets to you and quality of boots make or break a trip like that. We rode more towards the Everest area and carried literally all dy at times. Mix of Shimano MT91(?) boots and hiking boots in our group, all of us had flat pedals (though I rarely use them generally)
Depends how much HAB you expect
FWIW, on our trip we did several side trips, which might have had up to 4 hrs pushing/riding. you;re getting higher and pushing your limits so gradients you'd normally spin up have you pushing.
The day getting over the pass began with breakfast at 4 am and had 6-7 hours pushing/carrying to the pass.
You probably won't have the luxury of taking separate shoes over the pass as your sherpa/transport might not come over the pass with you. We spent ~ a week warming up riding from Pokhara, working our way up the Lower Mustang with plenty of side trips to get high and some cracking riding coming down. After the pass we smashed out some epic 80 km days getting back to our rendezvous at Besi Sahar.
My Sherpa and transport is me so I’ll be carrying all my gear and bike hence one pair of shoes. Spent plenty of time at altitude and in Nepal so know my limits and ability. Have plenty of time so will be hiking about on my days off peddling. It’s just a query to see what people have used and found good.
I take it you've seen this thread http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12830&p=158369#p158369 on Bearbones?
Yep and top Marks to George for single speeding it.