This book was published in 1978, as you can imagine much of the content is dated. However, the backcover has a paragraph that could have been written yesterday ... while the gear changes our underlying reasons obviously don't.

"Bikepacking is no longer a pastime for a select few; it is now a popular sport with very wide appeal. Bikepacking begins with a desire to escape the pressures of everyday life and the need to find a slower, more agreeable means of travel; its objective is to let people enjoy themselves without being totally dependent on either motor transport or fixed accommodation"

desire to escape the pressures of everyday life and the need to find a slower, more agreeable means of travel- That's why I love it