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As many of you may have gathered the "Essential bug out bag" series was a series of videos done in jest. A parody of soo many BOB videos over populating the net. Initially my intent was to take the series farther and have it end in the use of a deer cart grossly over loaded with all the "necessities" of the modern prepper. However, the membership of this forum saw right through my excesses and immediately yet very politely chastised me for being unrealistic. What great members we have here.
If you don't already know it I live in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia, Southern District. As such I am faced with certain challenges that are unique to this area in regards to forced relocation or "Bugging Out". Without getting bogged down in the obvious IE. I should not be here to begin with I have taken the most logical approach that I possibly can and it DOESN'T involve a 100lb BOB.
Assuming that the event does not allow one to un arse the AO ahead of time you must face the reality that you probably won't be driving to safety and you won't be carrying a 100lb BOB leading the wife and child through the seemingly never ending urban jungle. If you have delusions that you can do this successfully then what I say next WILL offend you. Your an idiot and because of your propensity for fantasy prepping YOU will be solely responsible for the deaths of your wife and children. Now having said that I do not believe that ALL is lost. Prior planning, REALISTIC prior planning can go a very long ways to solve this nightmare. 1. forget about walking and forget about deer carts, wheel barrows and wagons. 2. Embrace the reality of the Cache.
Caches: placed at regular intervals along primary and secondary avenue's of travel are in my opinion the ONLY solution to traveling any serious distance. Place them at distances that you can walk not ride or drive in a car. Why? planning!! what if Murphy decides to join the party and you end up walking but your caches are 25-50 miles apart because you calculated you could easily ride that distance in 2 days. Drive the route you intend to take but also walk and ride at least parts of it. Is it possible for every one who is going to bug out 50-300 miles to ride the entire route? Probably not. Have I ridden my entire route? NO!! but I have driven it several times, walked portions of it, explored side roads, creek beds, ravines, tree stands etc. I'm talking about terrain features and truly understanding what is along your path of travel. Driving 100 miles doesn't seem like much but stop every 10 miles and get out and touch the ground, go check out that drainage culvert or the hilltop that has a commanding view of the entire valley. Speed is life and the lighter you are the faster you move. If you have caches you do not need to carry as much supplies SIMPLE.
Speed: assuming travel is during serious civil unrest speed and stealth are "super important". This is where the unglamorous yet very practical mountain bike comes into its own. when equipped with panniers front and rear as well as possibly the addition of a small trailer or preferably a "third wheel" this is simply a third wheel that you tow behind your bike that additional panniers can be mounted to. Granted, not as much weight carrying ability but if you placed caches this isn't a negative. With a bike so equipped you could easily carry the magical 100lbs if you choose as well as a 35lb assault/patrol pack. Little jimmy can carry his own supplies AND travel farther than he ever could walking. If someone gets hurt and can't walk they often can still ride however if they can't then you can still rig up a litter between two bikes and push them.
Ideally you/we I should not be in a built up area where these risks exist. Sometimes though you have to work with what you have. Your first plan should be to relocate BEFORE you are forced to. Short of that, plan accordingly and inject massive amounts of reality into your plans. Fantasy is fun but save it for the office football league and sci-fi movies.
Just my opinion so please chime in and tell us what YOU think
If you don't already know it I live in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia, Southern District. As such I am faced with certain challenges that are unique to this area in regards to forced relocation or "Bugging Out". Without getting bogged down in the obvious IE. I should not be here to begin with I have taken the most logical approach that I possibly can and it DOESN'T involve a 100lb BOB.
Assuming that the event does not allow one to un arse the AO ahead of time you must face the reality that you probably won't be driving to safety and you won't be carrying a 100lb BOB leading the wife and child through the seemingly never ending urban jungle. If you have delusions that you can do this successfully then what I say next WILL offend you. Your an idiot and because of your propensity for fantasy prepping YOU will be solely responsible for the deaths of your wife and children. Now having said that I do not believe that ALL is lost. Prior planning, REALISTIC prior planning can go a very long ways to solve this nightmare. 1. forget about walking and forget about deer carts, wheel barrows and wagons. 2. Embrace the reality of the Cache.
Caches: placed at regular intervals along primary and secondary avenue's of travel are in my opinion the ONLY solution to traveling any serious distance. Place them at distances that you can walk not ride or drive in a car. Why? planning!! what if Murphy decides to join the party and you end up walking but your caches are 25-50 miles apart because you calculated you could easily ride that distance in 2 days. Drive the route you intend to take but also walk and ride at least parts of it. Is it possible for every one who is going to bug out 50-300 miles to ride the entire route? Probably not. Have I ridden my entire route? NO!! but I have driven it several times, walked portions of it, explored side roads, creek beds, ravines, tree stands etc. I'm talking about terrain features and truly understanding what is along your path of travel. Driving 100 miles doesn't seem like much but stop every 10 miles and get out and touch the ground, go check out that drainage culvert or the hilltop that has a commanding view of the entire valley. Speed is life and the lighter you are the faster you move. If you have caches you do not need to carry as much supplies SIMPLE.
Speed: assuming travel is during serious civil unrest speed and stealth are "super important". This is where the unglamorous yet very practical mountain bike comes into its own. when equipped with panniers front and rear as well as possibly the addition of a small trailer or preferably a "third wheel" this is simply a third wheel that you tow behind your bike that additional panniers can be mounted to. Granted, not as much weight carrying ability but if you placed caches this isn't a negative. With a bike so equipped you could easily carry the magical 100lbs if you choose as well as a 35lb assault/patrol pack. Little jimmy can carry his own supplies AND travel farther than he ever could walking. If someone gets hurt and can't walk they often can still ride however if they can't then you can still rig up a litter between two bikes and push them.
Ideally you/we I should not be in a built up area where these risks exist. Sometimes though you have to work with what you have. Your first plan should be to relocate BEFORE you are forced to. Short of that, plan accordingly and inject massive amounts of reality into your plans. Fantasy is fun but save it for the office football league and sci-fi movies.
Just my opinion so please chime in and tell us what YOU think
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