Biking on logging roads

[Hectocotylus]

I am thinking about using a bike to get back to a spot I like to get to this year.  What would you say your experience has been regarding speed of biking on your average logging road? Of course I will find out for sure by getting off my butt and testing it out, but just curious what I can expect once the snow goes away and I can get out there. 

[Hunting7mm]

Depends on the road.  I usually ride the downhill and straight stretches and end up pushing my bike up the steep hills.

[Lucky1]

You will cover a lot more ground with a bike than you will walking. The wheel is a wonderful invention.

[PolarBear]

We hunted Clearwater (Forks) for elk by bike for years.  It is a great way to go if you have the stamina.  It does suck coming back out with several hundred pounds of meat in a trailer pushing you down hill. (and straight through corners) 

[Antlershed]

Depends on the road.  I usually ride the downhill and straight stretches and end up pushing my bike up the steep hills.

It will save time overall, but you will spend a good amount of time pushing up hills unless you have insane leg strength.

[ghosthunter]

I used mine just a little this past deer season cruising quietly along roads. Down hill.
I designed a plastic pipe pull rod for the steep stuff. Pulls just like a wagon.
But you an hunt Till dark and get out in a quarter of the time.

In my case I like to drop the bike off miles above camp. Than drive back down and hunt up to it. Than cruise those last minutes of light down towards camp.

Still adding stuff.
Might take it behind gates turkey just ting this year.

[Hectocotylus]

Nice hopefully it works good for me


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[Bofire]

I do it and like it. I find bikes with no suspension work best. I can get two-three miles behind a gate in 15-30 minutes depending. then leave the bike. You can use the bike to walk out killed animals, put the gutting hole over the seat, tie the head and legs to the bike and walk it out. I carry my gun on a sling on my back.
Carl

[pope]

In my case I like to drop the bike off miles above camp. Than drive back down and hunt up to it. Than cruise those last minutes of light down towards camp.

That's a good idea. A bike gives you an advantage especially in flat, gated areas. It takes very little effort to go beyond where others are willing to walk, if it's relatively flat. If it's steep, the bike gives you no advantage on the way in (assuming you park low and hunt high). In fact, a bike will add 25 to 30 pounds to your "kit" and for most, this means pushing. But with a trailer or some panniers, a bike can make transporting your kill back down the mountain much easier than hoofing it. This year I packed my first deer out on foot. Wish I would have had the bike.

[Turner89]

I love using a bike, and trailer.

[Bob33]

8-10 MPH on the level, faster going downhill, 2 MPH pushing it uphill.

[Humptulips]

It makes a tremendous difference what shape the road is in. Smooth rolled in rd is so sweet. shot rock not so much. I curse the grader if the road hasn't been run on after grading.
In the morning I tend to walk a lot in the dark so the latest place I've went 7 miles in about half up hill it takes me an hour and a half. I come out in about a half hour. That s mostly smooth road.
Another place I went last year, flat as a table but shot rock I could barely stand to bike it at all and not too long between walking stretches.
Get a cart, worth its weight in gold when you get something. I only bring mine in after I get something. I use a Cabelas game hauler. Used it for at least 20 years.

[Turner89]

It makes a tremendous difference what shape the road is in. Smooth rolled in rd is so sweet. shot rock not so much. I curse the grader if the road hasn't been run on after grading.
In the morning I tend to walk a lot in the dark so the latest place I've went 7 miles in about half up hill it takes me an hour and a half. I come out in about a half hour. That s mostly smooth road.
Another place I went last year, flat as a table but shot rock I could barely stand to bike it at all and not too long between walking stretches.
Get a cart, worth its weight in gold when you get something. I only bring mine in after I get something. I use a Cabelas game hauler. Used it for at least 20 years.

x2 graded roads are murder  

[deerhunter_98520]

Bikes are lifesavers for sure 

[wahunter21]

is it just me or does that that elk head look Huge  ?

[deerhunter_98520]

That's just a westside rosie your lookin at compared to those dinks on the east side 

Here's another    we didn't get much speed 

[buglebrush]

Definitely worth pushing uphill for the ride back down.  Saves hours!  About ran over a little black bear in the dark one time.  Scared me spitless! 

[fish vacuum]

Biking is many times faster than walking, even if you push it up hills. 29" wheels help smooth out large crushed rock. Cheap kid trailers off Craigslist can carry enough weight for a boned out deer.

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[Piscatory_5]

I used mine just a little this past deer season cruising quietly along roads. Down hill.
I designed a plastic pipe pull rod for the steep stuff. Pulls just like a wagon.
But you an hunt Till dark and get out in a quarter of the time.

In my case I like to drop the bike off miles above camp. Than drive back down and hunt up to it. Than cruise those last minutes of light down towards camp.

Still adding stuff.
Might take it behind gates turkey just ting this year.

That's a trike not a bike. And probably weighs 60lbs.

[Piscatory_5]

In my case I like to drop the bike off miles above camp. Than drive back down and hunt up to it. Than cruise those last minutes of light down towards camp.

That's a good idea. A bike gives you an advantage especially in flat, gated areas. It takes very little effort to go beyond where others are willing to walk, if it's relatively flat. If it's steep, the bike gives you no advantage on the way in (assuming you park low and hunt high). In fact, a bike will add 25 to 30 pounds to your "kit" and for most, this means pushing. But with a trailer or some panniers, a bike can make transporting your kill back down the mountain much easier than hoofing it. This year I packed my first deer out on foot. Wish I would have had the bike.

I have to agree with this. Also add that if you're not in decent biking shape it will probably not be much advantage of you have to deal with hills. Like you mention the bike still adds 25-35lbs to the weight you are carrying. Speeds would be 4-8mph on hills and 6-14 on flats depending on your fitness. 25+ on the downhill if you want to have fun. I've done of MTB riding in the past on lots of trails, buy when adding a daypack and bow or rifle its a lot different. And you'll be wearing lots more than shorts and a jersey when hunting.

[zike]

I did it when I was younger, hated pushing the bike up hill back to camp. I had an idea thet I never used, it was buy cheap bikes at yard sales. Ride them down in the AM, chain them to a tree and cover them with a tarp and hunt back to camp. In the summer during firewood season go in and pickup the bikes and use them next year.

[pope]

I did it when I was younger, hated pushing the bike up hill back to camp. I had an idea thet I never used, it was buy cheap bikes at yard sales. Ride them down in the AM, chain them to a tree and cover them with a tarp and hunt back to camp. In the summer during firewood season go in and pickup the bikes and use them next year.

Yes, I'm also into stashing gear in the woods. I tend to park low and hunt high in walk-in-only areas, and once I have an area scouted, I certainly don't want to haul all that crap up the hill every day I hunt. With a bike, you'll get to areas behind gates too far for most people to walk, so you don't need to worry excessively about theft. Before opening day, I like to stash a trailer (with rope, game bags and such) under a camo tarp. Opening morning, all I have to do is grab the weapon and the bike and slowly pedal up the hill. If you bike a lot, not only will you get in shape for hills, you'll discover a pace where you can keep warm but not sweat too much climbing hills on cold mornings.

That's one of my strategies. I'm no deer slayer but I got one this year (and should have had one in 2014). I constantly hear about crowds, pumpkin patches, trail camera theft, etc. But with a little imagination and effort, it's not hard to find solitude. Not to mention, when cycling or hiking hills becomes part of your off-season routine, not only will your hunting experience become more enjoyable, you'll also be rewarded with the benefits of physical fitness. Want to feel great? Get on a bike or take a hike. Then keep doing it. (I know, I know, that sounds goofy but I'm convinced that hard, daily exercise helps me deal with the stresses of a career, raising a family, and dealing with aging parents.)

[Brad Harshman]

If anyone is interested, I converted on of those bike trailers where you throw your toddler in, into a light weight flat bed trailer for hunting.  It's been two seasons and never used it.  PM me if your interested. 

[ridgefire]

Mountain bikes are the way to go behind closed gates. Find a Burley from goodwill or craigslist and your good to go.