Bikepacking: much more than travelling by bicycle
The bikepacking imposes a lifestyle, a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of getting to know and travelling, in which all you need is a bicycle, a bit of luggage and the desire to travel. It is a way of leaving comfort aside, in favour of having a little more freedom to get to know places off the beaten track, causing less impact on the environment.
The reasons why the bikepacking has been gaining in popularity can be summed up in a few words: adventure, freedom and independence, and of course, increased awareness of a healthy lifestyle and the protection of natural areas.
What is bikepacking?
The bikepacking can be defined as the perfect union between what is the mountain biking and the camping simpler. It can be confused with cycle touring or cycle tourism, and while the essence of both is to be able to cycle in the same place, it is also to be able to do the same things in the same way. more than one day's cycling tripsThere is a fundamental difference between them.
In bicycle touring, the trip is usually made on roads, along established routes, and usually does not last more than a day or two. Whereas in bikepacking the roads are rougher and rougherMany of them are land-based, and can last several days, camping in the places visited.
Equipment needed for bikepacking
The equipment needed to start practising bikepacking is as follows:
Bicycle
Of course, it is the main thing to have. In theory you can bikepacking with any type of bike, be it a touring bike or a mountain bike, the only requirement is that you can ride on gravel and dirt roads without any problems. Then, it is advisable to use a mountain bike or a gravel bike.. Both have their pros and cons, but the choice will depend on the types of routes you want to do.
Bags
The bags for bikepacking should have three basic characteristics: light, durable and easy to use. Another important feature is that it should be waterproof. You can find saddle bags, handlebar bags and frame bags.
Camping equipment
The idea is to carry as little weight as possible in your bags or backpacks, but it is essential to have a good tent, a torch, a good sleeping bag, and if the destination is far away, you should think about carrying basic cooking equipment.
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Navigation equipment
To find your way around you can use a map app on your mobile phone, devices that allow you to see the route, such as GPS, or the traditional way using maps. The quickest option is to do it with your mobile phone.
Planning the route
Once you have your equipment for bikepacking First of all, you must choose the route you are going to take, and the first thing to do is to plan the trip so as not to leave any detail unfinished:
The time you have
You must know how much time you have available to travel. This includes knowing whether the whole trip is by bicycle or whether you have to take a plane, bus or car; and thus being able to establish how many days you will be cycling. It is preferable to organise short trips on weekends or public holidays that are long weekends.
Defining the destination
The destination can be a beach, a mountain, a desert, the countryside or even the city itself. But you should always take into account where you are leaving from.
Logistics
At this point it is necessary to define how to get to the destination, whether it will be in bicycle or if you have to take a particular mode of transport:
- If you are arriving in car At the start of the route, bear in mind that you will need a bike rack and make sure that the route ends in the same place, so that you don't have to leave your car alone for several days.
- In the case of trainIf you are travelling with a bike, you should have bags to transport the bike that take up as little space as possible, so as not to disturb the rest of the passengers. Remember that this should be taken as a rule.
- If by bus or aircraftYou will need a cardboard box for transporting the bicycle. You can even use a bag, but this does not protect the bicycle from the treatment it receives when stored with luggage.
Choosing the route for bikepacking
Any route can be done in bikepackingIf you're willing to give up a few comforts. It can range from riding on dirt roads to riding on the highway. As it is a practice that is gaining more and more followers, not only in the country, but also all over the world, it is becoming easier and easier to find routes that you can follow. In the country and in other European countries there are also routes created by enthusiasts of this type of travel. And you always have the option of creating a new route.
Suggested routes can be found for bikepacking on websites such as bikepacking.comThe website is specialised in the subject, and allows you to discover some routes divided by continents. At Spain the Pyrenees in a privileged place for the practice of the adventure of bikepacking, in the following article we present some of the best routes (click here).
Tips for bikepacking
Some tips for you to make your routes safely and enjoy the experience to the fullest are:
- Always try to carry as few things as possible, especially clothes.
- You should check that the tyres are in good condition and that you have spare inner tubes and a patch kit.
- To have a GPSmaps and working batteries are essential to avoid getting lost. And if you use your mobile phone, make sure you have a backup battery and that you have downloaded the route map.
- It is essential to have a dry bags to keep everything dry, such as the ZEFAL Z Adventure of 10 L volume.
- You should calculate your water supply carefully, either by using a portable filtration system or a backpack with a hydration system. Also keep this in mind if you are cooking.
Many people associate the bikeparking The essence is basically the same, to be able to get to know and travel with the minimum, sacrificing comfort, just to discover unique places and landscapes.
Bikepacking in the desert / Cover photo: Patrick Hendry (unsplash)
