Bikepacking – is the word on many a cyclist’s lips at the moment. Think again if you thought it was just a new spin (pardon the pun) on bike travel. It’s a real thing, and it’s trending upwards. Ironically, during the Pandemic, it was one of the fewer experiences of freedom that still allowed us to take on new trails or explore places around our neighbourhood that we didn’t know existed. bikepacking is the combination of travelling around by bike and wild camping.
Bikepacking – not just long-haul travel on a bike
Bikepacking originates in North American long-distance mountain bike races, so-called “self-supported races”. These races are not completed in a single day. Since outside help is prohibited – i.e. self-support is necessary – participants must transport all their overnight equipment and food. To avoid losing manoeuvrability and speed, they strap their gear directly to the bike instead of dragging it along in wobbly side or handlebar bags.
The difference between bikepacking and cycling trips is not only in the choice of route, but also the aspect of self-sufficiency.
Bikepacking is a type of bike travel in which the cyclist is self-sufficient when on the road. Advantage: race down remote trails without all your gear flying off into orbit.
Thus, bikepacking also differs from a classic bike&hike tour, usually a day trip. Bike & hike means getting as close to the summit as possible with the bike and hiking it to the peak. The journey by bike is always only part of the trip.
Bikepacking in winter? A winter tour demands a lot from the cyclist. Beginners are best finding their legs in summer first!
What do I have to pack? The right gear for bikepacking
What do you need for your first bikepacking adventure? Besides a bike, of course, you need panniers or bike bags that are correctly and sensibly packed. It would be best if you also had a good game plan. But first, let’s check out the equipment required.
What kind of bike should I use?
You can start your bikepacking adventure with any bike; the most obvious thing is to know how to ride. Most bikepacking cyclists want to get off the beaten track, so mountain bikes are the obvious choice, as are touring bikes. What kind of bike (29 or 27.5 inches, aluminium or carbon, gears or single speed) is up to your personal preference. However, I would like to briefly introduce the four types of bikes below to give you a quick heads up on how compatible these types of bikes are with bikepacking.
Full-Suspension
A fully, as it’s most commonly called and its chassis, will offer you the most comfortable riding experience. However, be careful with pannier and bag attachments, so they are not in the way when you are bunny hopping over logs and tree routes. A large frame bag can often be challenging to attach securely. Due to their multiple moving parts, Fully bikes are also susceptible to defects, making them not the best choice for those very remote bikepacking adventures.
Hardtail
The hardtail is well suited for bikepacking. You have the most versatile options for attaching large bags due to the frame’s shape. In addition, these wheels are very sturdy, stable and light, especially if you do without a suspended front fork.
Fatbike
The Fatbike is ideal for bikepacking. The wide tires give you propulsion even on loose ground. In addition, tours are fun even in winter conditions. Only tarmac will see you begging for some thinner wheels.
Gravel bike
Although not mountain bike, gravel bikes are the latest trend in the cycling industry and a powerful workhorse for bikepacking. These bikes are the synthesis of mountain and road bikes. They are fast and light with off-road tires and among the best for those gnarly multi-day bikepacking trips. The bikes are also pre-equipped with mounts for bags, etc…
Which bags are compatible?
One of the essential things when bikepacking is that you can safely stow all your gear, such as your sleeping bag, clothing and provisions, in a pack or pannier. In principle, you can use any pannier tightly attached to the bike. However, you should make sure that the bags are also waterproof. Manufacturers such as Ortlieb, Vaude or Evoc have unique bikepacking bags for handlebars, seat posts and frames.
Bikepacking gear checklist: tent, sleeping bag, packs & more
Now it’s time to pack everything you need for a multi-day tour with an outdoor overnight stay in your current bicycle bags. Since you’ll be transporting all your equipment on the bike, paying attention to functionality, weight and pack size when selecting products is worthwhile. Choose lightweight, compact gear that fits the requirements of your tour and cut down on any unnecessary items.
- Small tent or tarp
- Sleeping bag
- Camping mat
- Rainwear (rain jacket and rain pants)
- Bikepacking apparel and cycling underwear
- Insulation jacket or vest
- Outdoor stove
- Provisions for several days
- First aid kit
- Navigation device (GPS) or map
In addition, you should also have all the equipment that is needed for a multi-day bike tour, namely:
- Bicycle helmet
- Gloves
- Bike shoes
- Multitool
- Light
- Spare parts (an inner tube, repair kit, pump, cable ties, shift cable, oil, spoke, etc.)
- Bike lock
How to load your bike!
To ensure that the bike is agile when bikepacking and your riding pleasure isn’t hindered, the correct loading of the bikepacking bags is particularly important. The lowest possible centre of gravity is achieved by stowing heavy equipment as low and close to the bike as possible.
- Handlebar bag
Store light essentials in your handlebar bag that need to be quickly accessed. Also handy to have one with a waterproof top that offers a mobile phone touchscreen display, such as the Ultimate Six from Ortlieb that comes in 5 or 7 litres.
- Camping mat
- First aid kit
- Rainwear (rain jacket and rain pants)
- Provisions for the road
- Maps or GPS
2. Saddlebag
Saddlebags are something of a classic among bikepacking bags. The large-volume bags are a modern alternative to conventional back-roller bike bags attached to a touring bike’s luggage rack. The saddle’s design and attachment move the load’s centre of gravity closer to the bike and rider, making you more nimble and agile off-road. Seat packs hold about ten to 15 litres. You can stow all medium-weight items that you do not necessarily need during the ride:
- Clothing
- Sleeping bag
- Tarp
- Gas cartridges
3. Frame bag
The frame bag is particularly suitable for heavy objects because the bike’s weight is close and low. Thus, the centre of gravity is also optimal. In the frame bag, you can stow the following things:
- Tent
- Food
- Stove
- Water
- Tools and spare parts
- Electronics
Planning your great escape: routes & tips for bikepacking beginners
The beauty of bikepacking is that you can go. However, it would be best if you did not overdo it on your first tour. Therefore, start with short two-day tours and get to know yourself and your equipment first. This way, you’ll quickly notice if you still need anything or need to leave out redundant pieces of equipment. Three tips in this context:
- Well-developed long-distance trails are a good choice for beginners, as you are always close to civilization, and it’s easy to orienteer with well-marked signage.
- Increase the length and remoteness of your tours gradually; no need to go all out straight from the get-go!
- Plan your first tour in the warmer months. A winter bikepacking tour demands a lot from a cyclist. Just remember: Increase the strain bit by bit.
Good planning is important for the success of the cycling route. Long-distance trails are a good choice for the first tours.
The correct way to get started!
Before you set off on your first tour, you must decide on a route. As mentioned, longer hiking trails are suitable initially, as they are well marked. Nevertheless, you should track your route on a map or save it on a bike computer to avoid getting lost. Especially the navigation is often tricky, and you should be saddle-fast in this regard.
If the route is fixed, check your bike and equipment and load your bike as previously mentioned. One last look at the weather – when everything is checked and your bike is loaded, you can start your bikepacking adventure!