Your first Bikepacking adventure, how do you go about it?
Your first Bikepacking adventure, how do you go about it?
Your first Bikepacking adventure,how do you go about it?
Your first Bikepacking adventure,
how do you go about it?
'A good start is half the battle', but what is a good start? What is a necessity, what's an afterthought, and what do you need to know? In this blog, we take you through the preparation of your first bikepack adventure and share some tips & tricks. It's up to you to play with the information and create your own adventure.
'A good start is half the battle', but what is a good start? What is a necessity, what's an afterthought, and what do you need to know? In this blog, we take you through the preparation of your first bikepack adventure and share some tips & tricks. It's up to you to play with the information and create your own adventure.
After reading this blog, would you like to share something or do you have a question regarding bikepacking or gravel riding? We'd love to help you get started! Feel free to contact us via Rogelli or directly via Instagram chat: FatPigeon.cc
After reading this blog, would you like to share something or do you have a question regarding bikepacking or gravel riding? We'd love to help you get started! Feel free to contact us via Rogelli or directly via Instagram chat: FatPigeon.cc
What is bikepacking?
What is bikepacking?
Fun!
You can make something as difficult as you want. Just like the answer to the question 'what is bikepacking?' This bicycle variant of backpacking stands for adventure, discovery, longer distances, staying overnight and days on the road. In short, backpacking is all about gaining experience.
Fun!
You can make something as difficult as you want. Just like the answer to the question 'what is bikepacking?' This bicycle variant of backpacking stands for adventure, discovery, longer distances, staying overnight and days on the road. In short, backpacking is all about gaining experience.
Which form of bike packing suits you?
Which form of bike packing suits you?
On the bike for coffee at your parents' house, a weekend trip with friends or a month over Chilean volcanoes; with bikepacking there's something for everyone. Which form of bikepacking suits you depends primarily on your own expectations of the ride.
Depending on a number of simple questions, you can determine what kind of bikepacking suits you. The answers will also help you decide which bike, clothing and materials to take with you.
On the bike for coffee at your parents' house, a weekend trip with friends or a month over Chilean volcanoes; with bikepacking there's something for everyone. Which form of bikepacking suits you depends primarily on your own expectations of the ride.
Depending on a number of simple questions, you can determine what kind of bikepacking suits you. The answers will also help you decide which bike, clothing and materials to take with you.
- What is the purpose of your ride?
- How long will you be on the road?
- Are you keeping it national or are you going international?
- What does the terrain and surfaces look like?
- What are the expected weather conditions?
- What is the purpose of your ride?
- How long will you be on the road?
- Are you keeping it national or are you going international?
- What does the terrain and surfaces look like?
- What are the expected weather conditions?
Your first 'overnighter'
The choice has been made; you're going bikepacking and right away with an overnight stay. A fun plan to look forward to, but perhaps also exciting, because two days of cycling with an overnight stay, how do you go about it, and what do you take with you?
Now that you know what kind of bikepack suits you most, it's time to plan your adventure. At least, if you prefer a planning. There is, in fact, a group of adventurers who actually derive pleasure from planning as little as possible. The chances of an enjoyable first overnighter are greatly increased by some planning.
Your first 'overnighter'
The choice has been made; you're going bikepacking and right away with an overnight stay. A fun plan to look forward to, but perhaps also exciting, because two days of cycling with an overnight stay, how do you go about it, and what do you take with you?
Now that you know what kind of bikepack suits you most, it's time to plan your adventure. At least, if you prefer a planning. There is, in fact, a group of adventurers who actually derive pleasure from planning as little as possible. The chances of an enjoyable first overnighter are greatly increased by some planning.
Choose your kind of bikepacking
Go over where, when, with whom and under what conditions you'll be riding. This will be the basis for your bike, clothing and equipment choices.
Choose your kind of bikepacking
Go over where, when, with whom and under what conditions you'll be riding. This will be the basis for your bike, clothing and equipment choices.
Create a route
Use maps, route inspiration, existing routes or create your own. Not unimportant: consider in advance where you'll sleep and how you'll get food and drink.
Create a route
Use maps, route inspiration, existing routes or create your own. Not unimportant: consider in advance where you'll sleep and how you'll get food and drink.
Tip: we create our own routes, choosing Komoot for its ease of use, multi-day planner and ability to view photos of trails & highlights while planning.
Tip: we create our own routes, choosing Komoot for its ease of use, multi-day planner and ability to view photos of trails & highlights while planning.
Determine your supplies
Determine your supplies
The right equipment provides self-reliance, but also confidence. Where you normally have enough with small equipment such as a multi-tool, an inner tube and a pump, you now go on the road for several days.
Clothing
Think versatile. A windproof jacket can also provide warmth in the morning, arm and leg pieces can make a long set of clothes unnecessary, and you should also consider whether you can wash (and dry) your clothes on location.
Food & drink
Pots and pans can be shared, sports drinks also come in tablets and full meals can be bought freeze-dried per meal pack. We charge about 1.5 granola bars and a water bottle of isotonic sports drink per hour of cycling.
Bikepacking bags
All that goes along in bikepacking bags of all shapes and sizes. The basic principle is that your necessities determine which bags you take, not the other way around. Later we'll elaborate on this. We ourselves use BBB bikepacking bags, but there are many suppliers and there is no right or wrong.
Tip: 'pack light, travel far'. Everything you take with you has to be packed and pedaled forward yourself. Besides taking strength, this also comes at the expense of comfortable riding. Spread out what you want to take in front of you on the floor. Think again if you really need it all. That whole bottle of shampoo, portable speaker or that whole set of dishes can probably stay at home.
The right equipment provides self-reliance, but also confidence. Where you normally have enough with small equipment such as a multi-tool, an inner tube and a pump, you now go on the road for several days.
Clothing
Think versatile. A windproof jacket can also provide warmth in the morning, arm and leg pieces can make a long set of clothes unnecessary, and you should also consider whether you can wash (and dry) your clothes on location.
Food & drink
Pots and pans can be shared, sports drinks also come in tablets and full meals can be bought freeze-dried per meal pack. We charge about 1.5 granola bars and a water bottle of isotonic sports drink per hour of cycling.
Bikepacking bags
All that goes along in bikepacking bags of all shapes and sizes. The basic principle is that your necessities determine which bags you take, not the other way around. Later we'll elaborate on this. We ourselves use BBB bikepacking bags, but there are many suppliers and there is no right or wrong.
Tip: 'pack light, travel far'. Everything you take with you has to be packed and pedaled forward yourself. Besides taking strength, this also comes at the expense of comfortable riding. Spread out what you want to take in front of you on the floor. Think again if you really need it all. That whole bottle of shampoo, portable speaker or that whole set of dishes can probably stay at home.
Enjoy the distance
Enjoy the distance
With a plan, an itinerary and the right supplies, you're ready to take on the adventure. Wherever you go, together or alone, every bike trip is a great adventure. Enjoy the preparation, be surprised during the trip, leave nothing behind and above all enjoy the distance!
With a plan, an itinerary and the right supplies, you're ready to take on the adventure. Wherever you go, together or alone, every bike trip is a great adventure. Enjoy the preparation, be surprised during the trip, leave nothing behind and above all enjoy the distance!
Get inspired
Can't get enough of the bikepack adventure of Nol and Loek? Are you curious and would you like to plan your own adventure? Register here and become a bikepacking expert together with Rogelli.