Take Everything
Bikepacking
Bikepacking has been around for as long as there have been bikes. But choosing to do it off-road, on gravel bikes, brings new, exciting experiences. From one nighters from your front door, to multi day epics across mountains.
Take Everything
Bikepacking
Bikepacking has been around for as long as there have been bikes. But choosing to do it off-road, on gravel bikes, brings new, exciting experiences. From one nighters from your front door, to multi day epics across mountains.
Bikepacking
Bikepacking simply means riding over the course of multiple days, usually carrying your own equipment for an overnight stay in the great outdoors.
We caught up with our ambassadors Dulve and Becky to find out why they love bikepacking and ask them a few questions about their experiences.
Dulce: I’m multi-disciplinary and agnostic about most things in life, and I also like mixing my riding up. Off-road riding opens new possibilities. Sometimes I can’t be bothered to deal with aggressive drivers that come with road riding, and you don’t need to drive somewhere far to find an exciting MTB trail.
Becky: Competing in road and track cycling throughout my childhood planted the seed of the love of cycling but after years of riding I left the sport. Further forward, the idea of intertwining adventure and bikes rekindled this passion but this time instead of ultra light and speed, it’s about enjoying the journey and merging the outdoors and Bushcraft with travelling by bike.
Dulce: Many women are worried about safety and sharing the road with cars, so off-road riding is a good way to build confidence to start riding more and further. You can do it with children of all ages. And mountain biking is even more of a bro club than road cycling. Off-roading seems more diverse. To see more people from diverse backgrounds, especially those who’ve historically been shut out from different spaces in society, you may need to go further than just provide access and a piece of equipment. You have to inspire people’s imagination, which you do by increasing representation, and then explicitly invite them to come along - and don’t be offended if they don’t. Groups that focus on underrepresented riders understand that people face different barriers and that what it takes for them to show up might depends on each individual and their previous experiences.
Becky: I believe women of all ages and abilities can try this magic thing of bikepacking and off road riding, incorporating bushcraft can add a whole new ball game of freedom and self reliance. Skills and bike fitness take time, practice and confidence but it so rewarding and good for the soul, you begin to discover another world of adventure! Type 2 fun.
Dulce:
- Pack light, but bring all essential tools and spares.
- Put snacks in the top tube back and tools in the saddlebag
- Download offine maps and put the phone on airplane mode.
- Have a go at riding no handed
- Embrace the hard bits. Type 2 fun is what it's about.
Becky:
- Enjoy the journey, focus on the views, not your GPS
- Respect the area you're in, especially if you're wild camping, leave no trace!
- Try the most difficult route you can manage, it'll lead to great stories
- Carry the right kit and know how it all works
- Just go give it a go!
Bikebacking Kit
Check out some of the bikepacking equipment that our ambassadors and customers use to make the most out of their adventures.