How to start bikepacking? Our beginners guide to bikepacking

Apr 30, 2024 11 min

How to start bikepacking? Our beginners guide to bikepacking

There is nothing like it bikepacking. Taking on the world with your bike and jumping into adventures with the excitement of never knowing what you will encounter is a sense of freedom that is hard to find in modern times. It is a beautiful way to travel and see the world.

We will discuss what questions you should ask yourself before you start, enlighten you on the correct gear, and also discuss what routes are best to start with. Welcome to the beginners! Along with the right route and gear, this will be a very important guide to bikepacking!

What to start with when it comes to bikepacking

Regarding bikepacking, experts often say, “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!” So, finding the right adventure, along with the right route and gear, is going to be very important.

bikepacking beginners guide — *“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!”*

How to Start Bikepacking

How to start bikepacking?

1. Ask yourself the right questions
2. Get the must-have gear
3. Choose the right route to start with
4. Have FUN!

Before you grab that bike and rush out the door to have an adventure, it is important to ask yourself a few questions about the bikepacking you are going to do. This really helps establish what kind of adventure you are going to have.

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Do you need to better understand what bikepacking really is about? Read our detailed article about What is bikepacking.

Ask yourself the right questions about your bikepacking adventure

What do you expect from bikepacking?

There are many different types of bikepacking trips, and it is very important to go in with the right idea of what to expect. You can go on a nice, relaxed tour into the wilderness with cooking and camping gear and have long lay-ins. This would be the relaxed approach, and for a beginner, it is a great start. You could also consider bike touring instead of bikepacking.

how to start with bikepacking — What do you expect from your bikepacking trip?

How do you plan to sleep?

Sleeping is a big question for many. Bikepacking does not always mean sleeping outside. You might want to ride from hotel to hotel or stay in hostels. The beauty of taking a sleeping kit is that there are fewer limitations on places to sleep.

Between hotel and camping, choose the level of comfort that is important to you.

There are a few camping options. You can go minimal with a bivvy bag or increase comfort with a heavier tent. You will also need some other sleeping accessories, such as a sleeping bag and a sleeping mat.

It is good to have a plan even if you choose to mix hotels and camping. A good point to mention is not all countries are big on wild camping, and to be on the right side of the law, you would need to find a campsite. It is not all countries, but it is good to check.

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What budget do you have?

When setting your budget for your inaugural bikepacking journey, it is vital to consider various factors. Your budget dictates your choices, from gear to accommodations and travel options.

Depending on your financial plan, you might opt for different shelter options and transportation methods, such as camping gear instead of lodging or taking a train instead of starting directly from home. You can tailor your experience for maximum enjoyment and flexibility by aligning your budget with your preferences.

What bikepacker are you?

how to start bikepacking — Take into account your cycling level before you begin your adventure.

How fit are you?

Bikepacking is a lot of fun, but decent fitness is recommended before going on a trip. It will make carrying the extra gear more straightforward, and those pesky climbs will not build up too much fatigue.

You do not need to be a powerful rider, but you do need to be able to sit on the bike for longer periods of time and have a good ability to pace. I recommend training prior and riding with a loaded bike to give you a clear expectation of your bikepacking fitness level.
Our bikepacker expert, Robbie

How much time do you have?

Bikepacking trips can be as short as an overnighter or as long as a few months. It is good to plan the time you will be away beforehand. This will help you plan an adventure with proper logistics.

If you are a beginner and planning on bikepacking, it is good to pick shorter adventures. Long trips are best built up, and it is good to practice with shorter adventures to ensure the kit works well and you do not take on too much too early.

bikepacking beginner — The time you have available also determines the length of your journey.

Are you going to be doing it alone?

Bikepacking is a great experience on your own, but it can be even better with a friend. Having another person there not only makes you more confident, but it can also be great for motivation in tough times.

'The best option is to pick someone with a similar fitness ability who wants to have the same kind of adventure as you." - Alice Huot @buycycle

It's best to go with a friend, but even going with a group can be fun and will teach you a lot about how to start bikepacking.

Which are the must-have gear to start bikepacking?

For a good start into bikepacking, you will need more than just a bike. Having the right gear can make or break a trip. You can buy a lot, but to get started, here is what we recommend taking with you.

The bikepacking bike

The bike is the first tool you will need for the job. It is good to start with a bike for the terrain. If you are going to be off-road, you should use a mountain bike or gravel bike. You might want to read our comprehensive guide on what is a gravel bike and how to choose a gravel bike. If you plan on tarmac, you might want to use a road bike. Purchasing a second-hand bike is a prudent choice to avoid exceeding your budget.

Need a bike? Check out our shop!

The key to picking a good bikepacking bike is to go for something comfortable (so are the touring bikes for example). The speed will not matter if you can not enjoy sitting on the bike hour after hour throughout the day. Disc brakes, bag mounts, and large tires also go a long way and are recommended in this beginner guide to bikepacking.

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If you are considering purchasing a bike for your first bikepacking excursion, delve into our comprehensive guide on how to choose the perfect bikepacking bike and our selection of best gravel bikes for bikepacking.

The bikepacking bags

bikepacking set up — A good basic set up to start bikepacking.

Next, you are going to need some bags to carry your luggage. Most bikepackers choose to use basic strap-on bags. These are cheap to buy, easy to fit, and much nicer to use than a rucksack. Here are the bags you will see people use.

Frame bag	Sits on the inside of the frame, good for carrying things you use regularly.
Handlebar bag	Attaches to the handlebars and carrying clothing or sleeping kit normally.
Saddle bag	Strapped to the back of the saddle and has huge capacity.
Top tube bag	The most accessible bag which sits on the top tube of the bike.
Feed pouches	Attached to the handlebars of the bike. Great for carrying food.
Fork bags	Fork bags sit on the forks and can be used to carry anything, even water.
Panniers	These are attached to a rear rack on the bike. Often used in bike touring too.

You do not need to have each bag, but a good combination of a few will give you the capacity to carry everything you need. A common mistake many bikepackers make is filling too many bags with things they do not need.

Bring only the essentials to avoid unnecessarily weighing down your bike.

The most important equipment for a bikepacking beginner

Then, we have the most important equipment you are going to need. This is what will fill those bikepacking bags very quickly. Here is what I recommend as the essential kit you will struggle to bikepack without.

Spares and tools: Inner tubes, tubeless plug (If tubeless) patch kit, pump, multi-tool, tire boot, tire levers, spoke key, and chain lube.
Clothing: Typical cycle clothing, rain jacket, arm and leg warmers, down jacket, gloves, and overshoes. A warm jacket is necessary in cold conditions.
Sleeping: Bring a tent or bivvy, a sleeping bag, a sleeping bag liner, a down mat, spare sleeping clothes, and even an inflatable pillow if necessary.
Electronics: Lighting for riding, a head torch for camping, a power bank, charge cables, a GPS computer, and a mobile phone with a backup route.
Food and water: Bottles or a hydration bladder, food you enjoy, electrolytes, cooking equipment, and a bag for rubbish.

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For a complete kit list, check out our article detailing essential bikepacking gear —a must-have resource for novice bikepackers.

Which route should you start with?

Keep your first bikepacking trip short

What is the correct route to start with regarding how to start bikepacking? We recommend a first bikepacking trip of between one and four nights. This is so you can get used to bikepacking without worrying about being on the road for too long, which adds many other factors to consider.

Take the extra weight into consideration

When your bike is fully loaded, it becomes heavier than usual, impacting your route selection. Be sure to factor in this added weight when planning your journey. It is, therefore, good to go for a less challenging route. It is easy to overestimate how many miles you can cover each day, but when the bike is heavier and fatigue sets in, it is a different story. Try to avoid too much climbing or technical off-road sections.

Which are the most famous bikepacking routes for beginners?

The most popular routes for beginners are the Oregon Outback in the US, the Loire Valley in France, and the Rebellion Way in the UK. They are between 200 and 500 miles long and great for a few days to a week of exploration.

The Oregon Outback route in the US is a great first bikepacking route.

What about starting bikepacking from home?

Look at the options around you. One of the most incredible journeys is the one that starts at your doorstep. Every region has unknown places and hidden gems to discover. So, explore the possible routes in your region or state before venturing further! You might be surprised!

Starting bikepacking is all about having fun on a bike!

Now you know how to start bikepacking. Remember that it is all about having fun regardless of how you start your bikepacking journey. It is your adventure. You make it what you want it to be.

Everything you need to learn will come in time, so relax, enjoy the miles, and have the best holiday! If you wish to buy a new bike for bikepacking, you can also check out our guide on where to buy a bike.

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