Towards a bikepacking adventure in 4 steps

Running, swimming, cycling: Chariel does it all. But her favourite thing of all is to go bikepacking. She didn't even know what bikepacking was until a few years ago, but now she couldn't live without it. In this guest blog, she talks about how to plan the ultimate bikepacking trip.

How it all started

About four years ago, some friends and I had the ingenious idea of cycling up and down to Spa for a weekend. At the time, I didn't even know the word bikepacking existed. It was simply cycling to a destination with as little gear as possible, and as much nature and adventure as possible. 

To prepare the trip, we created two different routes via Strava, booked a hotel and made a list of the gear we needed. I saw on Instagram that you can fit a lot of gear in a big saddle bag. So I borrowed one from a friend of mine.

And there we were, ready for our two-day trip to the Ardennes! An adventure that was so much fun that I was immediately hooked. I wanted to cycle for longer and travel further afield. I promptly bought all the kit I needed to go bikepacking, and since then I've clocked up quite a few trips in the saddle.

What is bikepacking?

Bikepacking is a portmanteau of backpacking and biking: in other words, simply travelling around with your backpack and your bicycle. A cycling holiday where you set out on your bicycle and only take what you really need.

It's hugely popular right now, Instagram is almost bursting with bikepacking reels. Those in the know will tell you there isn't one standard method of bikepacking. I also like to switch between different forms of bikepacking myself.

Towards a bikepacking adventure in four steps

Step 1: Choose what type of bikepacking you'll go for

Before you decide where to go, how long you'll be on the road and what gear to bring, you need to know what type of bikepacking you'll go for. I distinguish between three types myself:

1. Comfort and sport

Want to combine cycling with a bit of luxury? Then comfort and sport is ideal. For this form of bikepacking, I always mark out where I want to go in advance, and book somewhere to sleep in a hostel, Airbnb or hotel (that's the luxury part). 

There's nothing better than arriving at your accommodation after a day in the saddle and diving into a wonderful shower, sitting down at the table and enjoying great food. And that way you don't have to lug around a lot of gear either,because there are towels and sheets, you can rinse your clothes in a sink and there is usually soap. 

2. Camping and sport

Adventure within the inhabited world, that pretty much sums up camping and sport. Personally, for trips like this, I take my road bike and a tent to set up at a campsite.

You can make a camping and sport trip as adventurous as you like: you can bring a gas stove and cooking utensils, or you can check out the eateries near your campsite. 

Pro tip: look for campsites where you can shower and charge your electronic devices.

3. Wild camping and adventure

When I'm really feeling adventurous, I hop on my gravel bike or mountain bike, with all the gear I need for wild camping. You can also use a road bike, but it's a little more difficult if you want to go off-road. 

Especially if you're looking for a place to sleep, you really want to go off-road, because,because if you sleep close to the road, you might get woken up by passersby. You do also sometimes get woken up by passersby far from the road, but of a different type. I've already been woken up by a horse, a hedgehog and a deer. 

With this set-up, you're super free and flexible. You can cycle as long as you want or stop a little early at a nice spot. It's essential, however, that you bring the right material. But don't worry, I'll give you a whole packing list in this blog too! 

Step 2: How much time do you have? 

Want to get away for a few days, or a week, or longer? It's all possible. Your destination will obviously depend to a large extent on the length of your trip, but I've got a few good tips!

For those who want to get away for a few days

Only have a few days? Then you have two options. 

Option 1: Take the train, along with your bicycle

I love taking the train to the southernmost point of Luxembourg, to start my trip from there. By the way, fun fact: in Luxembourg, public transport is free, for you and your bicycle.

Prefer to go a little further? Sometimes I take the train as far down as the Rhineland in Germany and start my trip there. By the way, you also take your bicycle on the train for free in the Rhineland. You obviously have to buy a ticket for yourself.

Option 2: Set off from home toward a destination

Personally, I often use Google Maps to see how far it is by bicycle to the destination I want to go. Then I calculate how many hours I want to cycle each day and see how far I get. Important: plan enough time for food and drink breaks and any equipment issues. 

Oh and it's a good idea to pitch your tent while it's still light. I once had to pitch my tent in the dark, in a spot where I couldn't see anything. As a result, I completely ran out of my emergency ration. So, note to self: you don't have to plan in 200 km each day. 

Do you really not have much time, and are your holiday days already booked up with family holidays? Why not ride home by bicycle after the holiday, and let someone else drive the car back. 

Bikepacking for a week or longer

In my experience, you can get to Aix-en-Provence on your road bike in a week (if you are in good shape) and you can return by TGV, or by bicycle, if you have plenty of time. 

If you only want to cycle in the most beautiful parts of southern France, you can take the train to Dijon or Lyon and set off from there. There are also many other parts of Europe that are great to explore with your bicycle: make sure to go to a destination that appeals to you and matches your cycling level.

Step 3: Plan your route

What I have learned is that a good route makes or breaks your trip. But not to worry, I have a number of tips for the perfect route.

Tip 1: Plan a route that is feasible with your bicycle type 

Going for technical trails in the mountains? That's only possible with a mountain bike. Are you staying on the road? Then I would recommend you go for a road bike or trekking bike. If you choose the road bike, you will have to pack very light. On a trekking bike you already get a bit more luggage space. 

Tip 2: Draw out your own route, or use an existing one?
Will you draw out your own route or follow an existing one? Whichever you choose depends on what you prefer. For example, I prefer not to come across too many other people on my route, so I draw out my own routes. I also enjoy the freedom of drawing out my own routes via Strava, Komoot, GPXstudio or another tool.

But if you prefer to come across other travellers, you might like to follow an existing route. And you're less likely to come across any surprises on an existing route. You can find a lot of existing routes online.

Whatever you choose, make sure you choose local or secondary roads. There's nothing more annoying than being constantly passed by cars. 

Tip 3: Check occasionally on Google Earth where you will end up

Especially if you planned your route yourself. That way, you can see if your route is accessible, because you wouldn't be the first bikepacker to make a mistake. 

Once, in Switzerland, I was sent over a glacier where it was impossible to ride a bicycle.  I had no other choice but to take a ski lift over the ridge. Unfortunately, it turned out that bicycles weren't allowed on that old idyllic little lift. 

But I decided to hop on it with my mountain bike in any case when the lift attendant was distracted for a moment. Needless to say, when I got to the top there was another surly Swiss waiting for me ... Fortunately, I got away with just a ticking off. I did learn a life lesson: always check your route carefully. 

Step 4: Time to pack your bags

A question I often get: what do you take with you when you go bikepacking? Personally, I always distinguish between essentials and extras. Depending on how light I decide to travel, this is how I pack my luggage. 

How many extras you bring depends on how light or heavy you want to travel. In general though, the fewer kilos you have to lug around, the better. Especially if you go into the mountains. 

I'm a staunch advocate of lightweight packing. My fellow riders sometimes find it hilarious how I cram everything into two bags. But every kilo counts! :-) 

(packing list below)

What I always take with me:

• Technical _material

• Spare tyre
• Multitool
• Pump
• Tyre glider
• Plugs (if you ride tubeless)
• GPS
• Charging cables
• Tape
• Raincoat
• Helmet
• Goggles
• Technical equipment (tyre, pump, multitool, tire gliders, GPS, charging cables, tape)
• Toothbrush (I cut off the handle) and toothpaste
• Sun cream
• Down jacket
• Mini towel (20cm x 20cm)
• Short or long leggings
• T-shirt
• Underwear
• Possibly slippers
• Lighter
• Opinel knife
• Mini lock
• Pain killer, you never know

Extras for campsites:

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Mat
• Power pack
• Headlamp

Extras for wild camping:

• Sufficient emergency rations (oatmeal, couscous, tea, broth, nuts, dried fruit, etc.)
• Gas stove + gas bottle
• Cup, cooking pot, spoon
• Toilet paper
• Camelbag