About BikePacking

BikePacking

BikePacking Adventures have around since before the 1900s.  Check out the photo of the 25th Infantry above in 1897.  Their bikes are outfitted with frame bags and a bedroll on the handlebars.

Since the late 1800s, bicycles were used for exploring, camping and even for military operations.  Since then, bikes have evolved and have become subspecialized for different terrain and sports.  Likewise, approaches to bikepacking has also evolved has has subspecialized for different terrains and styles of riding and sport. 

BikePacking Considerations

What do you really need to carry all of your gear on your next adventure?  Well...it depends

Less is More

No matter what type of BikePacking you are considering, minimizing what you pack is going to make your journey that much easier.  

Hostel/Cabin Hopping

You don't need to pack the kitchen sink; there is a sink where you are going.  You really just need some extra clothes, a hygiene kit, a repair kit and a bit extra.  You can potentially get away with a bag packed on top of your rear rack. 

Outdoor Camping

You'll have a lot of gear, to include tents, sleeping bags, cook gear and food.  All of this will need to be neatly packed away.  If you pack heavy, plan to have dual panniers front and rear.  If you pack light, like you would for a backpacking high adventure, you can get away with just panniers in the back...or less.

Traditional Outdoor Camping

Plan to bring pack what you would similarly pack for a scout backpacking trip, but on your bike.  You will need a rear cargo rack and ideally paniers on both sides of your bike.

You may be able to pick up food and snacks along the way, which allows you to carry less and have more interesting meals at camps and possibly at restaurants.

Ultralight Outdoor Camping

Like ultralight backpacking, advanced skills, experience and specialize gear will allow you to travel much lighter, faster and farther.

With Ultralight bikepacking, you may be able to pack everything on your bike without needing to install a cargo rack or paniers. 

Expedition BikePacking

Your Adventures will take you out to remote areas and may possibly needs special research equipment or camera gear.  Plan to pack all the food and gear you need without resupply.  You will need a rouged bike and how you pack your bike, depends on the variables of your expedition and how much you will need to carry.

Some Expeditions will need a a bike trailer to carry all of your gear. 

Style of BikePacking

Their are many different styles to BikePacking.

Touring vs Bikepacking

There is a lot of disagreement on what Cycle Touring is and what BikePacking is.  And honestly, it doesn't really matter except when you engage in conversation with diehard adventurers on the trail.

One general difference is that Touring is often more focused and traveling to different parts of the world, while BikePacking focuses more so on longer bike rides.  There is of course, a ton of overlap in between.

Why does it even matter?  Because of the gear.  Because there are different approaches to camping with bikes as well as several approaches at selecting the proper bike, equipment and how to pack it onto your bike.  If your adventure takes you on nice roads, comfortable campsites and urban venues, you will want to pack for that adventure.  If your adventure is focused on enjoying a ride through remote areas with technical single track, you will want a lighter more nimble bike and comfort at camp is much less of a priority.  

There is no one perfect setup as each setup is better suited for certain approaches to bike adventuring.