But if you’ve never loaded up your camping gear onto a set of pedal-powered wheels and hit the road, you may have some questions. Fortunately, we have answers. “There’s no one way to do it,” explains Marley Blonsky, athlete, and co-founder of All Bodies on Bikes, a non-profit organization based in Bentonville, Arkansas, that aims to promote size inclusion in the cycling world. “People get caught up in doing it ‘the right way,’ but just go out and have fun,” she encourages. “There are no rules and no trophies—it’s whatever you want to make of it.” That means bikepacking can be comprised of road or trail riding, camping at developed sites or off-grid in the backcountry; rides of two days or ten, distances of five miles or 500, or any combination of the above. You can do it solo or with friends and family, and anyone who has the desire can do it. Provided you have the necessary gear, of course. It’s important to know that you don’t have to be an experienced bike mechanic to go off on your own bikepacking adventure. But you should at least know how to change a flat tire and fix a chain that has fallen off, two of the most common repairs you’ll address. Just don’t think that you can simply search YouTube for an instructional video when it’s time to fix things. You may find yourself with a broken bike part and no cell service when you’re off the beaten path, so make sure you learn before you leave. As for other necessary items, Blonsky recommends making packing lists in categories—ask yourself what you’ll need to ride, sleep, eat, and wear. You may want to prioritize quicker meals for lunch and snacks. Make or grab a sandwich or spread hummus and veggies on a tortilla. For snacking, Blonsky recommends “whatever you can eat one-handed while you’re peddling,” like energy bars, fruit, and small bags of trail mix. And if you like to have a treat at the end of the day, whether that’s a cupcake or a six-pack, bring it! Blonsky encourages new riders especially to pack whatever makes the trip more enjoyable for them. Blonsky also recommends bringing a change of clothes just for camp, like a lightweight pair of shoes and a cozy outfit that isn’t sticky with sweat. Nothing feels as good after a long day of riding as stripping off your padded bike shorts and salt-crusted shirt to enjoy a meal around the campfire. Avoid accidents by doing a safety check every day before you ride: Ensure your wheels are securely attached to your bike, your brakes are in good working order, and nothing needs attention or repair. Finally, always adhere to safe riding practices when sharing the road with motorists. Or, if you’re already familiar with an area, make your own map by marking bike routes and trails, points of interest, campgrounds, and more on Google Maps. You can also use an app like Ride with GPS that’s specifically designed with bikepackers in mind. If you don’t know where to start, you can always ask around at your local bike shops and organizations—they can likely give you tips and suggestions. “There’s no right or wrong way to do it,” Blonsky says. “Figure out what works for you and have fun with it.”
