3 Bikepacking Basics for Beginners
If you love the idea of traveling off the beaten path by bicycle, bikepacking is for you. It’s such a fun way to explore the outdoors via dirt roads, gravel, and even trails, and then sleep in a tent at night after a full, satisfying day on the bike. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a multi-day excursion, your first bikepacking trip requires some thoughtful preparation, from figuring out how to haul all your gear to which bike, such as a hybrid comfort bike, might be best for your particular trip.
1. Choose the Bike to Match the Journey
Start with whatever bike you have. It could be an old, rigid mountain
bike, a hardtail MTB, or a comfortable gravel bike. If you don’t have a
bike, look at clearance bikes
online for a great deal on a brand-new bike. You can find high-quality
bikes for way less than retail if you go the factory-direct route for
your purchase.
Your bike will be your most important piece of
gear, so selecting the right one is key. A hybrid comfort bike is a
great choice, offering a smooth ride on paved paths as well as light
gravel and dirt surfaces. For more rugged terrain, a gravel or mountain
bike may be a better fit. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s
comfortable for long distances and can handle your gear.
2. Plan Your Route and Do a Trial Run
When mapping out your bikepacking route, consider doing an overnighter
first to test out your gear setup. If you have somewhere close to home
you want to ride, that’s even better. If you’re a beginner, it’s also
smart to go with a group or someone who has more experience with
bikepacking so they can help you out.
That first overnighter
will give you confidence in your fitness, traveling with gear, making
adjustments, and setting up camp for the night. You don’t have to be in
superior biking shape to do bikepacking. If you are a backpacker or in
relatively good shape, anyone can do it. Bikepacking isn’t about speed
or seeing how many miles you can fit in per day.
3. Pack Smart and Light
If you already have camping gear, you can use it for bikepacking trips,
such as a sleeping bag, pad, and tent. If you are traveling with other
people, it might help to split the gear up and save space so you aren’t
bringing duplicates. You’ll also need a method of hauling your gear with
the weight distributed evenly on the front and back of your bike. It
helps to have a pack system and frame bags, but if you don’t have
specific gear, don’t worry. You can get creative with straps and wear a
backpack if necessary.
Before heading into parts unknown, make
sure your bike is running smoothly and check the gears, brakes, and
tires. Bring along spare tubes, a multi-tool, an air pump, and a repair
kit. It’s easy to go down the gear rabbit hole, but stick to the
must-haves and basics.
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