What is Bikepacking?

Bikepacking sits at the intersection of cycling and adventure travel. Unlike traditional touring — which typically uses panniers on a loaded touring bike — bikepacking uses lightweight, frame-mounted bags to carry your kit, prioritising off-road capability and a more minimalist approach. You don't need a special bike or thousands of pounds of gear to get started. You need a plan, a sense of adventure, and the willingness to sleep somewhere unexpected.

Choosing Your First Route

Your first bikepacking trip should be ambitious enough to feel like an adventure but realistic enough not to crush your enthusiasm. Consider these factors:

  • Distance per day: Loaded bikepackers typically cover 60–120 km per day on mixed terrain. Start conservatively — 60–80 km per day with manageable climbing.
  • Terrain type: Decide whether you want gravel roads, singletrack, tarmac, or a mix. Your bike capability should match your route choice.
  • Resupply points: Plan where you'll buy food and water. Aim for a resupply every 50–80 km in remote areas.
  • Accommodation: Wild camping, hostels, or a mix? Check local laws around wild camping before you go.

Great Starter Routes in Europe

  • Camino de Santiago (gravel route): Spain — iconic, well-signposted, excellent infrastructure.
  • South Downs Way: England — 160 km off-road, doable in 2–3 days, no extreme remoteness.
  • Rennsteig Trail: Germany — ridgeline route through the Thuringian Forest, excellent for beginners.
  • Via Dinarica (sections): Balkans — stunning but more committing; ideal once you have a trip or two under your belt.

Essential Bikepacking Bags

You don't need to buy everything at once. Start with these core bags:

  1. Frame bag: Fits inside the main triangle, holds the heaviest and most essential gear (tools, food, electronics).
  2. Handlebar roll: Large-volume soft bag for sleeping kit — sleeping bag or bivy roll.
  3. Saddle bag/drybag: Rear of the bike, ideal for shelter (tent or bivy) and clothing.
  4. Top tube bag: Easy access snacks, phone, and small items.

Weight distribution matters — keep heavy items low (frame bag) and close to the bike's centre of gravity.

The Bikepacking Packing List

Sleep System

  • Lightweight sleeping bag (3-season) or quilt
  • Bivy bag or ultralight tent (depending on weather and destination)
  • Sleeping mat (inflatable is lighter; foam is more durable)

Clothing

  • 2 cycling kits (one on, one off)
  • Lightweight waterproof jacket
  • Warm mid-layer (merino is ideal — odour resistant and packable)
  • Off-bike shoes or sandals
  • Gloves and arm warmers

Tools and Bike Essentials

  • Multi-tool, tyre levers, patch kit
  • Two spare inner tubes (or tubeless repair kit)
  • Mini pump or CO₂ inflators
  • Chain lube and quick-links
  • Dynamo hub or power bank for device charging

What to Leave at Home

This is where beginners go wrong — packing too much. Be ruthless:

  • Leave the laptop. A phone handles navigation, photography, and communication.
  • One book only, or a Kindle.
  • No more than 3 days of food. Resupply along the way.
  • Ditch the heavy camp stove for your first trip — eat at cafes and carry cold food.

Budgeting Your Trip

Bikepacking is one of the most affordable forms of travel. A reasonable daily budget for a Europe-based trip:

  • Wild camping: €10–15/day (food only)
  • Hostel/guesthouse nights: €30–60/day
  • Mixed approach: €20–35/day average

Final Thought: Just Go

The most common mistake is waiting until everything is perfect — the perfect bike, the perfect bag, the perfect kit. The truth is your first bikepacking trip will be imperfect, uncomfortable at times, and absolutely unforgettable. Start small, learn from it, and the next trip will be better. The road is waiting.