Bike Trip: Why Bikepacking Is the Travel Trend We’re Trying This Year

For my trip, I used Trek’s 1120 bike, a bikepacking beast. With 29-inch fat tires and an integrated rack system to keep my stuff organized and secure, I was able to trick a lot of folks into not knowing just how much of a novice I really was. Well, up until my legs started cramping and involuntarily contracting. (I’ve since learned to stay on top of my electrolytes and water intake throughout the ride.) 

After a couple of hours of adjustments on day one, however, the joys of bikepacking soon became apparent. Over the course of one trip, you’re able to check multiple boxes, from cycling to hitting the trails, to camping and socializing—both with fellow cyclists or at stops along the way.

It’s that range of activities that draws people in, says Stefano of biking Youtube channel Blindstuff MTB. Stefano, who declined to share his last name, was an avid bikepacker well before this current boom. “The variety of being able to backpack overnight or for weeks at a time really opens the sport up to anyone with a base-level of fitness,” he says. But that’s not the only reason to do it. “We’ve been locked up for so long that this new trend has more to do with finding yourself, and looking for bigger challenges that go beyond the day-to-day routine.”

For those curious about bikepacking but unsure where to start, look to tour companies like Western Spirit, Trek Travel, or Adventure Cycling, who can do the heavy lifting of planning and executing your ride. Many group trips like the one I went on also feature support teams to help cyclists along, with first aid, repairs, or even by driving heavier equipment to your campsite, which is especially useful for novices. Amid the pandemic, many have covered COVID concerns as well, with frequent temperature checks, mask wearing, isolated meal prep at camp sites, and testing. 

After getting a guided bike trip under your belt, you can use that template to plan future excursions. “That experience with a professional will give you the tools and knowledge to safely venture on your own,” says adventure writer and bikepacker Morgan Tilton. 

Wherever you plan to ride, Tilton also suggests hitting the road with an intention of what you want out of the bike trip—a tip beginners and experts alike can take advantage of. “Before even crafting a route, my partners and I communicate about our motivations and vision for the trip, so that we understand our shared needs and goals,” says Morgan Tilton. Whether that’s a pandemic-friendly getaway, a little soul-searching, or simply a weekend-long workout after months of sitting at home, a bikepacking trip might scratch that itch. 

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