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5 of the biggest bikepacking mistakes you can make (and how to avoid them)
Thinking of heading out for a ride and spending a night under the stars? Save yourself some hassle and follow this guide to ensure a trouble-free trip.
Be it epic ultra-distance races that last multiple days (or even weeks) where participants tackle huge, continental distances, or just your eccentric friend who loves sleeping under hedges; the word ‘bikepacking’ is probably cropping up in your cycling circles and social media at an increasing rate.
The term may be relatively new, but the idea is certainly not; people have been pointing their bikes in the direction of adventure since they've been in existence. Naturally the bits that catch people’s attention now are the ludicrously long and difficult races – a scene that has sprung up largely driven by the popularity of the Race Across America, the Tour Divide and Transcontinental Race.
Loading up your bike for an adventure needn’t be two straight weeks of suffering, grinding out 300km a day and subsisting only on food purchased in gas stations, though. It can even...whisper it...be fun.
Before you dive in though, there are a few easily avoidable potholes to steer around when you’re starting out. Fortunately, other people (read: us) have already made these very mistakes, so you don’t have to…
1. Pitching up in the dark
Aim to set your camp up before sundown to guarantee a good night's sleep
© Craig Kolesky/Red Bull Content Pool
There’s a few keys to selecting the right sleeping spot, even when you’re travelling light and sleeping in a bivvy bag.
You want to be fairly secluded so as not to be disturbed in the middle of the night. Being toe-prodded awake by a bemused member of the local constabulary in the early hours of the morning is no fun. Most countries have a pretty relaxed attitude to wild camping, but there’s still an obligation to make sure you’re, y’know, alive. If you can put a hedge or other sight barrier between you and any roads or public footpaths, that will stand you in good stead.
Things to avoid sleeping near include stagnant water (mosquitoes, ick), livestock or houses with a barky dog. Annoyingly, a lot of the noise factors may only present themselves once you’re bedded in and it's way too dark to be packing your stuff up again. Your best bet is to try and get a lay of the land before unrolling your sleeping mat.
2. Not preparing for a breakdown
Knowing your way around your bike can help with trailside repairs
© James Hayden
If there’s one area where it pays to be a little bit over-cautious, it’s your repair kit and spares. Don’t make the mistake of setting off without the crucial tool that is going get you out of a tight spot later down the line, miles from civilization.
Only you can truly know how far you’re likely to ride without passing a bike shop on your trip. In the areas of vast wilderness like you find in Canada or the USA you might easily go days between towns, whereas in mainland Europe even the smallest village could have a workshop where you can make an unscheduled stop for assistance.
3. Losing your way (and head)
A bike computer can help you with timings
© Lukas Pilz/Red Bull Media House
Navigation is obviously crucial when you’re riding long-distances and in many respects, there has never been a better time to be exploring the world. Leaving the navigation to on-the-fly decision making is probably a mistake, as is failing to make a contingency plan should your primary means of finding your way let you down.
On-bike GPS computers are getting better and better, while Google Maps’ provision is expanding the borders of the easily-explorable world. The latter actually has a ‘save offline’ feature now that enables you to store a map of the region you’ll be riding in onto the memory of your smartphone, allowing you to use it even when outside of cell service.
If you want to go down the traditional route, then a fold up paper map is also an option for helping you find your way – plus it makes a cool souvenir when you finish your travels. Just remember to learn how to read it before you set off...
When all else fails, ask directions. There’s something about a hapless travelling cyclist that seems to melt the hearts of most humans who will be very happy to point you in a direction – even if it’s not necessarily the one you wanted.
4. Going hungry
Consider bikepacking as an eating competition with some pedalling thrown
© Pavel Sukhorukov / Red Bull Content Pool
One very common mistake is failing to eat or drink enough while riding. Long-distance cycling with luggage on the bike is going to burn a prodigious number of calories, and you must stay on top of your intake. Consider bikepacking as an eating competition with some pedalling thrown in and you will quickly come to see why it’s such a boomingly popular pastime.
While to a certain extent there are no bad calories when you’re riding really, really far and your metabolism is a roaring furnace, it’s still good to keep an eye out for healthier options when they present themselves. Three back-to-back days of pre-packaged pasties, ice lollies and frothy coffee from every café you come across is not going to do your insides a world of good.
Water is also a vital concern, with many long-distance racers carrying more than the standard two 500ml bottles on their bikes in order to extend the time they can ride without resupplying. Always refill when you can and scope out long stretches where you may not find water before you leave for your trip so you can be fully prepared. Also, carrying a portable water filter can literally be a life saver for when all else fails.
5. Packing poorly
Practising packing means you'll be a pro when it comes to the real thing
© Karlo Ramos / Red Bull Content Pool
Of all the incredible, multifarious facets that bikepacking has to offer, the actual packing bit is perhaps the biggest pain. Not only must you cram everything you need into three small bags, but you must repack it every morning when you wake up for another day in the saddle. Overpacking is an easily made mistake that will not only weigh you down but slow you down also.
Somehow, there always seems to be way more kit than will fit in your bags when you’re shivering in a French field on a misty morning than there was when you had all your gear laid out neatly in your living room at home. Therefore doing a few dry runs can’t be recommended strongly enough! This will help you dial in your setup, test your gear and also save you time as you become a dab hand and stuffing your entire ‘bedroom’ into a space the size of large handbag.
