Bikepacking

Bikepacking involves multi-day cycling primarily on dirt roads, trails, and gravel.

Recommended Bike

Almost all mountain bikes can be made into capable bikepacking rigs, but the quintessential choice is a rigid or hardtail 29er outfitted with 2.2-2.6” tires.

Getting Started

• use existing bike, camping gear, backpack, ...
• pick a short loop (15-30km) for an overnight stay
• wrap some sandwiches, and grab breakfast on the way home
• have a bailout option (in case of equipment malfunction)
• evaluate what worked

Bags & Packing

• frame pack (full, half or wedge): weight has the least effect in bike handling
• handlebar (roll, harness, top-loader): keep as light as possible (ultra-light tent, sleeping quilt, light clothes)
• seat pack: narrow load => easier to handle
• rack and dry bag: stable and versatile => no weight burden on the dropper
• racks, baskets and panniers: in case you need more packing options, but usually not recommended as it's heavy weight
• accessory bag (top tube, stem): useful for storing snacks, or small items
• fork or tube mounted bags: other random bits
• general tips: keep load light on handlebars, test your ride prior to trip (bumps, climbs, etc), avoid backpacks for longer trips, keep rain jacket close, analyze what you didn't use and consider to leave it home

What to bring?

Shelter & Sleeping System

• tent (hell yes), hammock (maybe), fast fly, tarp, bivvy (fuck no)
• thick sleeping pad (side sleeper)
• quilt (due to tossing and turning)
• inflatable pillow (if you need more comfort)

Food & Water

• carry around 2-6L of water, and 2-4 days' worth of food
  • steripen (kill bacteria)
  • water filter or purification tablets
  • water bottles + cages
• stove + fuel storage
• pot
• mug
• spork
• lighter/flint
• folding knife
• spice mixes (luxury)
• coffee (luxury)

Repair & Spares

TODO Topeak - Ratchet Rocket Lite DX+   maintenance repair

• multi-tool (covering Allen and Torx the bike requires)
• chain breaker
• tire levers
• check if chain is compatible, if not then master Link Pliers

TODO Wolf Tooth - Master Link Combo Pliers   repair chain

• tire levers
• master links (quick links)

TODO ParkTool - VP-1C Patch Kit   repair tires

• tire boots
• patch kit with rubber cement

TODO ParkTool - DT-2 Rotor Truing Fork   maintenance

TODO ParkTool - CC-4.2 Chain Checker   maintenance

or 4.0 is also fine, not the others

TODO MucOff - Chain Cleaner   cleaning

TODO MucOff - 8 in 1 Bicycle Cleaning Kit   cleaning

TODO MucOff - Disk Break Cleaner   cleaning

TODO MuccOff - Luxury Microfibre Polishing Cloth   cleaning

TODO Garmin Edge 840

TODO Leatherman Skeletool (or Signal)   emergency repair

Maintenance

• chain lube
• duct tape
• zip ties
• pipe clamp (if possible)
• shock pump (if possible)

Tire Repair

• mini pump
• tire plugs
• extra sealant
• spare tubes (1-3 depending on duration and location)
• curved needle and nylon thread (stitching a torn sidewall)
• super glue

Spares

• derailleur hanger
• brake pads (2-4 pairs)
• blots and hardware compatible with the bike
• spare cables (if possible)
• extra spokes and nipples (for longer trips)

Clothing & Layers

On You

• riding shorts
• underwear
• wool t-shirt
• wool socks
• flat-pedal shoes
• helmet
• cycling gloves
• sunglasses

Spares

• wool socks
• wool t-shirt
• shorts or lightweight pants
• underwear
• chamois/bibs (if they fit well, might rough for taller people)
• long-sleeve merino top or button-down shirt
• lightweight rain jacket
• merino leggings
• lightweight down/synthetic jacket
• lightweight rain pants

Toiletries

• toothbrush, paste and floss
• toilet paper (unscented)
• lightweight trowel
• sunscreen
• soap
• personal hygiene
• wag bag
• ear plugs

Extras

• hat or beanie
• camp shoes / sandels
• down pants
• buff or bandana
• down booties (cold feet)
• winter gloves

Electronics & Extra's

• phone
• gps
• charging cables
• outlet charger cube / conversion
• battery pack
• headlamp
• camera
• book / kindle
• sketchbook
• camp chair or seating pad (highly recommended if you can bring it)

Safety * First Aid

• satellite messenger or tracker
• backup maps and GPX
• rear blinkie light
• bell
• bear line and bag
• bear spray
• blaze orange vest
• emergency whistle
• irrigation syringe
• povidone-lodine betadine prep pads
• tweezers
• 2-3 butterfly bandages
• small roll gauze
• antibiotic ointment
• ibuprofen
• benadryl (allergic reactions from insects or poison ivy)

Planning a Route

• gear weight => 1/2 or 1/3 speed and distance on an unloaded bike
• technical difficulty (mostly smooth, or rocky)
• physical demand (uphill/downhill), check climbing scale
• resupply and logistics (remote, easy access to food and water)

Pace & Distance

• all-road (relaxed): 5-8h, 12 km/h, 60-97km per day, 1067m elevation
• mixed (relaxed): 5-8h, 10 km/h, 49-81km per day, 915m elevation
• rough (relaxed): 5-8h, 8km/h, 40-65km per day, 762m elevation
• singletrack-heavy (relaxed): 5-8h, 6km/h, 30-52km per day, 610 elevation

General Tips

• base the route on a good campsite
• remember factors that affect pace
• say off busy roads
• use POIs
• create rythm
• use greenways
• care for resupply
• consider where it starts and ends

Apps

• Ride with GPS (app)
• Gaia (GPS app)
• Trailforks
• Komoot
• OSM Cycle
• Nat Geo Trail Illustrated
• Heat Maps

References

• Bikepacking 101