SUP-N-Bike, Monocacy River Edition, with rapids

[esskay1000]

Did my fourth sup-n-bike experiment today, and it was the Monocacy River which is one of the bigger tributaries of the Potomac upstream from D.C.  Didn't have much wind, but the river current helped me keep a 4mph pace.  This time, instead of the swells I experienced on the Wicomico a few weeks back, I had to deal with rapids.  They're small, barely scratching class 2, but on a SUP with three fins poking down and a bike on board, they were challenging enough.  Had go on knees through one set.

I'm convinced this sup-n-bike is going to be "a thing", if only with me.  I may be the only practitioner but I'm hooked.  The bike back was a hilly 10.5 miles but not bad at all.

Pic from 1st set of rapids

[Zooport]

That looks really fun.  If I were anywhere near your area I would ask to join. 

[Area 10]

Interesting. If the board flipped, how easy would it be to get everything the right way up and ready to paddle again?

[esskay1000]

Interesting. If the board flipped, how easy would it be to get everything the right way up and ready to paddle again?

I had that question from one of my other trips.  Answer - hard     It happened on my Wicomico trip but I was close to shore and I was able to touch bottom and right the board.  On a river like the Monocacy, it's probably only 150-200 feet at the widest, so I would have been able to get to the side where I can stand.  And I always wear my leash.

As I keep experimenting with these trips I'll have to try flipping the board back when the waters over my head eventually, I'd like try it in a controlled setting.  Until I find out, I won't go in deep water with this setup where I can't get to shore quickly.

[SeldomScene]

I really like what you're doing.  Have you considered locking your bike up at the take out?  Also, the part about wearing a leash on the river got my attention.  What's your leash setup?  Quick release pfd?

[esskay1000]

I really like what you're doing.  Have you considered locking your bike up at the take out?  Also, the part about wearing a leash on the river got my attention.  What's your leash setup?  Quick release pfd?

I could lock my bike up at takeout, but my larger goals are to make the jump to doing multi-segmented water/land trips using the SUP and bike, so that's why I'm testing having the bike on board the SUP.  I want to be able to link up water and land segments - with camping - to do some bigger trips by switching back and forth.  Just as these guys pioneered with packrafts (135 miles by bike, 65 by water), but instead my watercraft is a SUP. 

http://lacemine29.blogspot.com/2011/07/bikerafting-alaskas-lost-coast.html

I still want an alpacka though 

Oh and I have a coiled leash to prevent drag and a Sospenders pfd.

[JBinGulfShores]

This sounds really interesting!
Could be quite an adventure.

Is the room to strap an Alpaca next to your bike?

[esskay1000]

This sounds really interesting!
Could be quite an adventure.

Is the room to strap an Alpaca next to your bike?

There's actually room for plenty more on my SUP, and I'm still a good 40lbs below the listed weight limit