Bike/Kayak Touring

[JohnB207]

Hello, all. First post here. I'm actually not a bike tourist yet, although I would like to be at a later point in my life, when it will more possible. Right now I've got young children. But I am a year-round bike commuter, which is getting me to think more about other cycling activities.

I just returned from a vacation where I had the opportunity to try kayaking for the first time. I was able to take just a 30 minute paddle around a river in a solo kayak, so maybe it's too soon to say for sure that I would ever be this serious, but I did enjoy it, and it got me thinking. I found a nice groove and was thinking I could probably do this all day, and naturally progressed to thinking about taking a few weeks or even a month or two some future year and doing an extended paddling trip, camping out at night. It soon occurred to me, of course, that if you could carry a folding bike on the kayak, that would be useful to tie up at the riverbank and bike into a town for more supplies, or even eat out once in a while. Finally, today I realized that with a hitch and a set of wheels and axle for the boat, you could also enable yourself to switch modes and go overland when necessary, towing the kayak behind the bike! Interchangeable bi-modal human-powered transportation, whoo whoo!!

Anyone done this, or know about it? I've done a little checking out of kayak touring sites and I'm sure it could be done, but haven't found any record of anyone actually doing it. There's no point doing any serious planning at this point, but I'm curious to hear if anyone else has done it (must be) and what stories and advice they might have. Thanks!

[FredHiltz]

Hi John,

I saw a fellow doing just that on the Burlington VT waterfront bike path a couple of years ago. That's all I know about it, but it's a start.

Fred

[HONDO]

hey john Im only familiar with west virginia but if you want a taste of that exact thing look up the greenbrier river trail.You can paddle class 1-2 water for 77 miles then bicycle back to the start.The logostics would be quite easy and there are many interesting places you could get out of the boat and pedal. You could also extend it by going further down the river, you would just have to bicycle in some local traffic to get back to the river trail.good luck.

[JayH]

As an avid paddler, you can buy/make kayak carriers for your bike. Paddleboy actually makes one but there are plans and ideas to make one if you have the time/ability to fabricate stuff or are a good scavenger.   As far as the towing the bike on your kayak, you will have to chose your location, anything strapped or mounted on your deck will affect the kayak's stability and your ability to roll and also affect the kayaks susceptability to strong winds.   I.e. it'll act like a sail.  Maybe flatwater lakes/rivers but I would be hesitant to go out on open water in rough seas with much of anything strapped to your deck.  

If you have the gear to bike tour, a few drybags and you'll be pretty much set to kayak tour. Buy a touring kayak (aka "sea" kayak) and you'll be set.  

I have a 14' Impex mystic in fiberglass that I tour with and an old Dagger Prospect to tool around in shallow rivers..

Jay