1st time bike rafting

[ywen]

Strapped the bike onto the Alpacka raft and went down a few miles of the Fox River and rode back upstream. Will attempt a longer route next time. Too many damn dams on this river so I'll need to come up with some shoulder attachment on the raft so I can portage without deflating the boat.

 

[mtnbike28]

Looks like fun!

 

[coastsider]

Bike rafting? That's a new one to me, looks like a lot of fun. How much does the raft weigh? Must make the front end of your bike feel like a lead weight.

 

[Gear]

Very Cool. So how does the Alpacka feel with the mountain bike on it. Any concerns with flipping over. At some point I hope to get one of these rafts.

 

[Funrover]

Very cool!

 

[ywen]

THe raft is a bit over 4 lbs.. Dry bag maybe almost another lb? So not much weight up front.. Its just a bit bulky. I actually could jave made the rolled up boat more compact by tightening it down with a strap.. Didnt do that so the raft expanded after i put it into the drybag..

Alpacka with the bike felt very stable.. It tracks better with weight up front.. Otherwise it likes to zigzag across the water with each stroke..

 

[AdamKonstantin]

If you have a chance I would recommend you go rafting on Tara. More information about the white water rafting, hiking and trekking can be found at:
Tara River Rafting at Tara Canyon

 

[Sirocco]

I got my Denali Llama here in the UK yesterday very much like the prospect of packrafting.

How did you secure the bike, is it straight forward?

G

 

[AeroNautiCal]

Congratulations on getting your raft!

Another Brit Packrafter.

 

[Sirocco]

:wings:

only for the next 8 months... then we drive to Siberia! and wind up in Aus after it all!

G

 

[ywen]

Sirocco:

Without knowing your bike's frame design it's hard to suggest a repeatable method. Just throw your bike onto the raft and figure ways to tighten it down via the attachment points. I used a bunch of toe straps and two adjustable length bungee cords. It was a bit tricky figuring out an arrangement that kept the fork high above the water line.

Here are also some ideas http://www.youtube.com/user/alpackarafters?feature=watch

 

[Sirocco]

Thanks man,

I ride an FSR Stumpjumper and also a Salsa Vaya depending on occasion and cargo. Will try it out.

G

 

[Sirocco]

I should probably start a packrafting thread but seeing as I posted here before and my intention is to use a bike...

I went out for the 1st time on the raft on Tuesday. I wrote a little blurb here: http://siroccoverland.com/2012/06/27/alpacka-denali-llama-1st-time-out-uk/

very pleased with it. I just need to find some good put in/take out points on this river as everything is high so with a bike I don't think it would be possible. I need some shallows to try it 1st.

Spraydeck was a great addition, fully recommended.

G

 

[LukeHooligan]

ywen, which model Alpacka is that? Is is the Alpaca or the larger Yukon Yak?