Bikepacking Masterclass
ADVENTURE ESSENTIALS
Itching to try bikepacking but don’t know where to start? Here’s Gail Brown’s top advice to ensure you have a mighty trip
If freedom were to be summed up in an activity, bikepacking wouldn’t be far from the top of the list. Getting outside and focusing on the basics – eating, drinking and moving – is a welcome antidote to the stresses of normal life. Defined as the intersection between allterrain cycling and backpacking, what sets it apart from traditional touring is a lighter set up, more capable of venturing off-road in whatever timeframe you have.
However, if you think riding a bike laden with camping gear would ruin the joy of cycling, read on. This shouldn’t have to be the case. Whether you choose to explore UK trails between hotels or complete a multi-day epic through European wilderness, this is a discipline that covers whatever type of riding you do. Plus, once you’re out rolling, it’s surprising how capable a loaded bike can be.
Okay, so it’s not all sunshine and glory: the process of preparing for a bikepacking journey can be riddled with questions and uncertainty, no matter how many trips you’ve done. Knowing which bike to take, what to pack and where to ride is enough to stop the best of us getting out the door, especially if your trip is being fitted around work and relationships.
But don’t worry, I can give you the benefit of my experience, which comes from expedition leading, many low-key bikepacking adventures and competing in events such as Transcontinental and GBDURO [from Land’s End to John O’Groats]. I’ve also spoken to two other expert riders:
Philippa Battye, twice GBDURO finisher; and Josh Ibbett, winner of Transcontinental 2015 and ultradistance racer, and together we’ve compiled some essential advice to help you head out into the unknown for a bikepacking adventure.
Bikepacking Tips
10 steps to adventure
From prep to packing and bike choice, we solve your puzzles…
01 What trip should I go on?
Philippa has a great saying that you only have a finite amount of willpower per year and this helps her to focus in on the rides that matter. Picking the appropriately sized adventure for the time, energy and kit you have available is the key to success. For route inspiration, try Komoot and websites such as bikepacking.com or, if time is short, you can plan an overnight trip right from your doorstep.
02 What bike should I take?
I believe that you can bikepack on any bike, but the enjoyment factor is definitely higher if your gearing and tyre width are appropriate for the terrain. Equally, you’ll have a lot more fun if you have as few mechanicals as possible, so a well-maintained bike is essential. Gravel bikes are undoubtedly the most ‘all-terrain’ capable and often designed with bikepacking in mind, however with thru-axle mounts from Tailfin, no bike is off limits, even your TT bike!
03 What kit should I bring?
The absolute basic list for any trip is: money, phone and navigation device, waterproof, warm layer, dry spare clothes, basic toiletries, tools and pump, charging leads and space for snacks. You could set off around the world with that kit list. The rest is adventure dependent, so think about where you’re sleeping and how comfortable you want to be.
04 What should I eat?
When you’re cycling all day, you need to mix up your macronutrients. Eating simple sugars, such as sweets and gels, all the time is like throwing matchsticks on a fire. At a resupply, I’ll try to pick up something sustaining to eat right then and there, something with a good mix of fats, protein and complex carbs, then I’ll buy some things for the road. Something salty, something sweet and something refreshing tends to cover all bases until the next stop. Philippa and I agree that, if in doubt, just eat lots.
05 How do I charge my devices?
When out for multiple days where you need an electronic navigation device and want your phone, you need to have a charging plan. Josh suggests for shorter trips a 10000mAH battery pack will suffice. On longer trips, stay somewhere long enough to use mains electricity, perhaps an extended pub stop or a night in a hotel. If stopping is not an option, you could explore dynamo wheel solutions. If it all goes wrong, resort to a map.
06 Should I take spare shoes?
Space-stealing rascals, shoes are a nightmare to pack. As I’m normally wild camping, I take two sandwich bags to go over a pair of woolly socks so I can have the luxury of dry, warm feet while continuing to wear my cycling shoes. But if you don’t think you can handle being that much of a style icon, sandals or flipflops can be a good in-between.
07 How do I pick a wild camp spot?
You may have identified a likely place when planning, but you might find an option en route. Ideally the spot would be out of sight from trails and roads, sheltered from wind and on flat, dry ground. Pitch so your head’s uphill on a slope. There’s not always a suitable water source nearby so try to fill up in advance. Don’t go to the toilet near a water source. If pooing, bury it and bag your toilet paper to dispose of later.
Or hold it till the next proper toilet! Ask permission from the landowner to camp in advance (in Scotland, you don’t have to as wild camping is broadly permitted). If you’re bedding down for the night on the fly, leave the spot exactly as you found it. not essential for bikepacking.
Hotels, hostels, apartments and friend’s houses will not diminish the sense of journey or adventure. However, if you’re looking to escape civilisation and immerse yourself in nature, there is no better way than responsibly wild camping with either a bivvy, tent or hammock. Or just be more like pro cyclist and adventure rider Lachlan Morton, and wear your Birkenstocks to cycle in.
08 How much should I plan?
An odd question perhaps, but an important one. In my experience, having a flexible approach to trips rather than a rigid plan can allow for more spontaneity and also prevent sense of humour failures when the intended plan inevitably goes wrong. It’s important to know what your options are for resupply and sleep, but leaving the door open for unplanned opportunities often leads to the highlights of a trip.
09 How should I sleep?
If the thought of waking up in dewy grass in the morning makes you absolutely shudder, be reassured that bivvying is not essential for bikepacking. Hotels, hostels, apartments and friend’s houses will not diminish the sense of journey or adventure. However, if you’re looking to escape civilisation and immerse yourself in nature, there is no better way than responsibly wild camping with either a bivvy, tent or hammock.
10 How do I ride a loaded bike?
Josh points out that riding a heavier bike changes momentum and grip. More weight equals more grip, but this is optimal if the weight is central or at least balanced through the bike. You can use the momentum to roll bumps and obstacles more easily, but be aware your speed will disappear just as quickly when the trail points up. Anticipate this and shift down gears early enough to keep going!
Bikepacking prep
Preparation is everything
Smart planning will help you maximise your enjoyment when you hit the trails…
Prep 01
Route Creation
Key benefit Great route planning results in fun bikepacking. By being able to tailor distance, elevation, terrain and resupply options, you’re more likely to get what you want from the trip.
Kit needed Device to plan on (laptop, iPad, smartphone), planning interface (Komoot, Strava, RidewithGPS, MapMyRide etc), navigation device (Garmin, Wahoo, smartphone), back-up navigation plan (map, second device).
There’s no limit to distance per day, but for leisurely lunch stops and relaxing evenings, you should aim under 100km, especially if you’re hitting the trails. Think beyond elevation profile as multiple short hills can be more draining than long climbs. When planning, look at the net elevation per 100km, if it’s under 700m, it’s fairly flat, more than 1,000m, be ready for some climbing.
If you’re heading off-road, terrain and gates can hugely affect speed. Use satellite images, OS maps or route reviews to try to discover clues to the trail quality, and factor in weather. Considering resupply is key. If your set-up is lightweight and lacking snack-carrying capacity, route through civilisation occasionally: my preference is every 3-4 hours.
Plan for problems It’s important to consider the risks of where you’re headed. Have a back-up for navigation-device failures, identify short cuts or options for if cycling isn’t on the cards.
Prep 02
Bike loading
Key benefit Optimise efficiency and ride feel by packing smartly. Taking only what you need and having the right things accessible will help to eliminate faff.
Kit needed Bikepacking system, whether bags, cargo cage or rackbased. Dry bags. Your chosen gear. Quick-fix solutions – voile or Velcro straps, tape, reusable cable ties.
Heavy things such as tools, water and stove should be within the frame triangle and low if possible. This stops excessive swinging of bags and better bike handling. Waterproofing is key, whether the forecast says it’s dry or not, so put spare clothes and sleep system in a dry bag. They are also useful for compressing kit.
Think about what you’ll need to access while riding and try to put things like waterproofs, warm layers, puncture repair stuff, tools, charging leads and food on top.
Weed out non-essential items. This is normally clothing based. My normal rule is one set of riding clothes, one set of dry ‘camp’ clothes and a layer warm enough to get me out of trouble.
Sleeping bag filling your entire saddlebag? If you think you’ll make a habit of bikepacking, a lightweight technical model is worth the investment. If budget doesn’t allow, try borrowing one or, as a last resort, carry it in a backpack.
BIKE-PACKING ROUTES
Three overnight routes to enjoy this summer
Hebridean Way
Vatersay to Isle of Lewis. 297km
Two ferries, six causeways and 297km of riding make up the Hebridean Way, which starts at Vatersay in the Outer Hebrides and finishes on the Isle of Lewis. The island-hopping takes place on the National Cycle Network Route 780, which is suitable for a road bike.
West Kernow Way
Penzance, Cornwall. 241km
Designed to be ridden over three to four days, Cycling UK’s 241km WKW takes in Land’s End (England’s most westerly point), St Michael’s Mount, the Lizard Point (the most southerly) and possibly our favourite location of the lot, the Botallack and Levant tin mines.
Lôn Las Cymru
Anglesey to Cardiff. 600km
Three mountain passes and a couple of national parks (Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons) are the highlights of the Lôn Las Cymru, which stretches through Wales. Over 400km of the route is on quiet lanes and trafficfree cycle paths.
KIT CHECKLIST
From thermals to loo rolls, here are our essentials for bikepacking
Clothing
• Waterproofs
• Spare dry clothes
• Thermal clothes
• Warm jacket
• Socks
Tools
• Multitool
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Tyre/puncture repair kit
• Bike lock
Camping
• Sleeping mat
• Sleeping bag
• Bivvy bag (tent/tarp or hammock)
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toilet roll
Bike storage
• Saddlebag
• Frame bag
• Handlebar bag
• Top tube bag
Electrics
• Power pack
• Charging cables
• Navigation/GPS device
Cooking gear
• Stove
• Gas canisters
• Lighter
• Penknife
• Mug, spork, foldable plate/bowl
• Food
• Bag for rubbish
• Water purification tabs or filter
Leave no trace
With more of us seeking escapism, it’s important that we have little impact on the countryside when wild camping. Essentially: leave no trace. Camp inconspicuously, arrive late, depart early, don’t leave litter, food, toilet waste or have campfires. Respect the wild. If that doesn’t sound possible, campsites are your best option. bikeradar.com