bikepacking
Bikepacker's Guide To Adventure
Bikes
How to choose the right bike for your adventure. Our guide can help you make the best choice. Get to where you want to be on the ideal ride for you.
Bags
Bag selection is key. Click here to learn more about how to load up your rig and keep everything in the right place. Check out our Bags page to see what we recommend.
Gear
It’s important to pack all that you need and nothing you don’t. Keep it light and lean with the gear we suggest. Find the essential kit for you.
Components
Bike components are essential to a reliable and high performing steed. Every part of your bike plays a roll in how it rides. Read about the parts we’ve trail tested and how they’ve stood up.
What is Bikepacking ?
Bikepacking is backcountry backpack camping on your bike. Trips can be overnight, multi day or even months long. By packing only the essential gear in bags on your bike you venture off sustained by what you have with you. This minimalist adventure cycling bestows a feeling of freedom in the traveler. Bikepacking is a great way to travel by bike and explore amazing new places.
How to go Bikepacking ?
To go bike packing you load up your essential camping and riding gear on your bike and set off on a route. Because you can sustain yourself with the things you’ve brought with you, your route can be long. Many bikepacking routes can take days, weeks or even a year to finish. Living on your bicycle allows you to go on long distance self sustained cycling journeys.
How to Start Bikepacking ?
To start bike packing you’ll need a bike, bags and some essential gear. Because this is a minimalist sport you shouldn’t need to break the bank to get started. Basic gear is best for starting out. Invest enough to get out there to first make sure that this sport is for you. Then when you begin doing longer trips, you can invest in the premium kit. You can learn about what great basic setup is for beginners here on our website. Bike2Nature is a bikepacking website with lots of information for the adventure cyclist. Our website can be very helpful to those starting out so don’t be shy, dive in.
Where Should I go on my First Bikepacking Trip ?
After you’ve equipped your bike with some bags, you’ll need to test your setup. Pack your bags like you would for an overnight trip and go for a ride. For your test ride stay close to home and ride trails that you are familiar with. You’ll find out what works and what needs some tweaking. Make the appropriate adjustments to your rig and test ride it again. When you’ve fine tuned your setup and can haul all your gear without issue you’re ready for your first trip.
Start with an overnight trip not too far from home. This way if you find you weren’t quite prepared, you’re not too far from sanctuary. With that said a big part of the adventure is making the best of the unplanned and unforeseen. Embrace it as it’s part of the fun.
What do I need to go Bikepacking ?
To go bikepacking you’ll need a reliable bicycle. Bags that mount onto your bike, so you can carry the things you’ll need. And a lightweight compact camping setup. You will only need to take the essential water, food, shelter and clothing for your trip. You won’t need to sell an organ to buy the best ultralight backcounty gear when starting out. But you will need to haul all your gear on your bike so weight and size are a factor. Preparedness is important but don’t over pack. Some basic tools are good to have. Having the means to repair your bike or mend your gear out on trail can rescue an unfortunate adventure. With only the essentials packed up on your bike you’re ready for your first adventure.
Adventure Awaits !
Now that you have a basic setup and have put your rig to the test. You have worked out all the kinks and fine tuned your gear with your overnight trip. You’re now ready for a big adventure. Get out there and experience the freedom of bikepacking. Always remember the Bike2Nature crew and the rest of the bikepacking community are here for you if you need.