The Journey Begins

What is Bikepacking?

Bikepacking is a challenging, yet thrilling, experience that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of mundane corporate society and into a world of adventure and intrigue. A sense of freedom comes with loading up your bike with minimal camping gear and taking off to explore the scenic environment of the great outdoors. Whether it be the dirt trails along a green forest while wildflowers are in bloom during the spring and summer, the rocky dry landscape of the southwest, or the fall foliage that brightens the trail path with the luscious bright yellows and oranges of falling leaves, there is an amazing adventure right outside your door. 

Bikepacking is a simplistic approach to exploring the elements of nature in its purest and rawest form all by traveling on a bike. Using various bags, racks, and cages you can load up your trusty steed with minimal gear such as a tent, sleeping bag, and any other amenities you deem necessary for your excursion. The possibilities are endless and the experience can be life-changing.

How is Bikepacking different than Bike Touring?

Bikepacking and bike touring are not just a hobby, but a lifestyle. Many of us put a lot of time, effort, and money into the challenges we face as we explore the communities and nature around us. However, while both seem to explore the outdoor scenery, bike touring tends to focus more on exploring communities and the different people we meet along the way.

Although the differences are subtle, bikepacking is a thrilling adventure along single tracks and fire roads with more aggressive tires for dirt trails and rocky climbs. The bike tends to be heavier and made of stronger material such as steel to withstand the constant pounding that comes with the rugged terrain.

Smaller packs are generally more beneficial for bikepacking since much of your route can be through the backwoods along single-track, they are loaded strategically on the bike and the smaller they are the less you are inclined to load. Unnecessary weight can be a burden, especially if you have to get off your velocipede and hike-a-bike (walk) up a large sandy hill. 

Bike touring, however, usually includes saddle bags called panniers which allow you to carry more goods. These, along with the addition of a seatpack in the back and panniers in the front, with a handlebar bag, can make the bike more cumbersome and difficult to navigate on smaller trails. This setup is more advantageous for roads along various routes into communities.

Bike touring has its benefits.

While bikepacking tends to adventure into the wild and explore the natural elements of this great planet, bike touring allows us to explore our communities, culture, and history. Traveling along commuter roads from town to town in faraway places allows us to explore the culture of a particular region, whether it be as far as India and Malaysia or as close as communities right in your backyard. There is always something to learn and enjoy about others and the history of that area.

So what should I bring?

When asked about how others should set up their bikes for a trip I always tell them to “Run what you Brung”. Grab that old bike out of the shed and take it to the local bike shop for some routine maintenance. Use some backpacks or buy some dry bags and tie them off using bungee cords to mount to your bike. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on gear for a hobby that might not interest you. I am quite sure everything you need to load up your bike you already have at home.

Be sure to pack the essentials into your bags; sleeping bag, tent, food and stove if you choose, med kit, change of clothes, etc… Decide what you think you may need for the adventure you’re about to enjoy. 

The best way to learn is a shakedown ride.

For my first bikepacking adventure, I loaded up my cheap trail bike with a large synthetic sleeping bag, a $30 tent my mother-in-law bought for my kids and other essentials, and many other non-essentials, from around the house and traveled to northern Michigan along a rail trail to a rustic campground.  I took way more than I needed and much of the gear was bulky and burdensome.

Although I was more than ambitious for my first adventure, I recommend a loaded ride where you can venture out on a long ride in your community and camp at home. If things go south you can always go indoors and have the safety of the indoors. Another option is to ride to a local campground or park where you have a way out if need be. 

No matter how you choose your adventure, bikepacking or bike touring, just get out there and explore this great planet; there is so much to learn and enjoy not only about our world but about ourselves. Safe travels…. and Keep Pedaling Forward!