Have done both for decades, with usual breaks for small children, work demands, etc. Went on self-supported tours through Western Europe, New Zealand, Canada, etc; then switched to road riding in Europe, staying at inexpensive inns.

I will return to Europe this May for a self-supported bike tour, which is logistically easier than staying at inns: plentiful campgrounds with hot showers, washing machines, etc. This is not the same backpacking in the wilderness, but one still crawls into one’s tent or tarp at night, etc. Although total weight does not seem as important on a touring bike as when backpacking, I do enjoy being able to use lighter weight gear when bike touring.

I am still an occasional masters road racer – renewed my license for another year – but being scraped off the pavement and placed in an ambulance makes me want to hike more than bike race.

Was an ultra-distance cyclist. Also did some bike touring.
Now enjoy lightweight backpacking, especially long distance.
I've completed all but 175 miles of the PCT in CA. Then OR & WA.
Next want to ride across the country coast-to-coast.
I'm looking forward to the upcoming articles on bike touring.

I have been backpacking and climbing for decades. Recently I have increased my bike touring. I simply transferred my tent, bag etc. to panniers and started pedaling.

I've ridden across the US four times and have always enjoyed doing day hikes in my travels. My most recent crossing featured a two day hike in Glacier NP and I am officially enamored with backpacking. I feel the same way about backpacking that I used to about bicycle touring, it feels like a wonderful adventure and challenge that scares me in the best ways. In a month I am cycling down the Pacific coast again in order to get to Campo for a nobo PCT. Hoping to use tour time to do tons of hiking and get in really good shape for a strong thru-hike. Interested to see the differences between long distance hiking vs biking.

I use bicycles for transportation, don't own a car. The only downside to not owning a car is that it makes it hard to go backpacking!

Ditto Rowan's response - no car and use it along with public transport but I ride for fun too

Edited by stu_m on 01/07/2012 03:28:05 MST.

long time road biker here. Recently restored my 1972 Motobecane Grand Record. I have not missed a day of riding to work in 4 years. My ride now is a recumbent trike, Catrike Speed.

I love biking for transportation (commuting, running errands, meeting people downtown), but not for recreation. So much quicker to get around town and makes the mundane fun and 'free' exercise.

Just could never get into spending a Saturday biking.

I can see why people love it and certainly appreciate it, just not for me.

I've been cycling since my late teens and I'm now almost 65.
I've biked to work in Cleveland since 1976, first for 1/2 the year, then in 1982 and since for the entire year. Learned a lot about winter cycling which is applicable to backpacking.
I visit friends, shop, and do just about everything on my bikes, unless the distance is under 3 or 4 miles, in which case I'll walk, as long as time is not urgent.
My wife cycles all winter too, and rides downtown with me to work, then returns back the other way where she has her shop, close to where we live.
We cycle during the winter on weekends, where my wife and I visit friends who SAY they're willing to ride, then back out, feel guilty, take pity on us and feed us hot chocolate and cookies as we stagger from one community to the next on our way home, often well after dark. We play up the sympathy part and won't let them know we're having a fine time.
One of our friend said: 'when you go out to cycle with Marty in the summer, take your lights; when you go out with him in winter, take your sleeping bag'.
We take a 2-week cycling vacation every year, mostly to eastern Canada, where the folks are friendly and we can try out our high school French. Eastern Canada is quite a bit nicer to tour than the eastern US.
We own 16 bicycles between us, half of them for winter riding, where we might just need to grab another bike if one fails as we start off for work. That happens a lot.
Most of our bikes are horrible. You couldn't buy ones as bad as what we normally use. Many were given us for free or for less than $100. But with bicycles, almost all the quality of the ride is what you put into it. If the bike is 5# heavier, it's almost un-noticeable. That's what I like about cycling...most of what makes it go is us.
Marty Cooperman
Cleveland, Ohio

Ah, Marty. What a wonderful post. You just made my heart grin a bit......

I hiked 2,000 miles of the PCT last year, and decided this summer I'm going to ride from CA to NY. I'm using everything I have learned about lightweight backpacking and applying it to my journey...

I'm actually going to be pedaling more than 5,000 miles, since I'm going all over from point A to point B, and I learned from my PCT adventure: you carry what you pack, and your body feels every pound.

Elizabeth, I'm in Sacramento, I love riding around the Bay Area, amazing amazing bikers heaven!

I've set up a blog to track my preparations & update on the trip here:

http://tr4f.wordpress.com

I'm more comfort driven than weight driven, but having a bicycle makes that easier. Of course, I won't take something heavier if something lighter will do the job. For example a (large) NeoAir replaced a self-inflating foam mattress a couple of years ago. Lots of great information here that has allowed me to shed a number of pounds, but more importantly (for me) also improve the comfort/safety margin afforded of what I do bring. 25k+ miles of cycle touring in the western US and Canada.

Edited by Cyclesafe on 02/26/2012 06:41:22 MST.

Bicycles, my fist love in life that I can remember. Migrating towards more dirt and less cars but love every minute of cycle touring no matter how wet, hungry, and cratered.

I met an interesting fellow at a shared campsite (Hawk Camp, SF!) in January and he inspired me. Currently attempting to replicate the rig pictured below in an attempt to avoid stop signs, chip seal, and designated fire rings. Bicycles I love you!

Opened my eyes. Ortlieb who? You can read more about the Cassmobile at: http://bit.ly/fPUCip



The articles DC is writing should be interesting I'm looking forward to them. Brraaappp!

Edit 2/26/2012: I was curious and bugged Cass about everything. The bags are made by Porcelain Rocket.

Edited by TrueNorth on 02/26/2012 08:51:25 MST.