Bikepacking is all about freedom, adventure and simplicity: everything you need is on your bike, and you can decide where to stay and which route to take on the spur of the moment. Rather than comfort, the focus is on minimalism, being close to nature and a physical challenge – including sunrises at the campsite, long stages and varied terrain. It is precisely this blend of independence, simplicity and experience that makes the trend so appealing.
When it comes to bikepacking, having the right kit makes all the difference between enjoyment and frustration. If you’re out and about for several days, you need to pack smartly: light, compact and yet functional. Every bag on your bike needs to be packed with care, from your sleeping bag to your pump. Clothing should be weatherproof, breathable and versatile – ideally following the layer-by-layer principle. The same applies to tools: take only the essentials, without carrying unnecessary weight. In short: the better your setup, the more relaxed and adventurous your ride will be.
But sometimes you have to learn from your mistakes, and that’s what we’ve done. For your sake. That’s why we’re making this appeal. Don’t make these mistakes (anymore).
1. Clothing and equipment that haven’t been tried on
We’ve all been there: just before you set off, you quickly order that bike you’ve been eyeing, the new helmet (see photo) or the mini pump for your adventure – or you decide to switch to tubeless tyres after all. Then you’re off – and none of it has been tested.
It’s just a shame that you can’t change any of that once you’re out on the ride. Your old but tried-and-tested helmet or that reliable pump are out of reach – and now you just have to see it through.
Try doing it this way instead: Be sure to test your setup and kit beforehand – ideally on a longer ride.
2. Ignore the weather forecast
Yes, in summer you often find yourself thinking, ‘The weather’ll be fine.’ But you can be in for a bit of a surprise – especially in the mountains. If you don’t have the right kit, you’ll soon find yourself in a bit of a pickle.
Try doing it this way instead: Be sure to check the weather beforehand – and ideally during your trip as well. We recommend, for example, the Warn-Wetter app from the German Weather Service (for Germany only).
3. Travelling with the wrong travel companion
Most of the time, plans like this for the new season are hatched over a few beers with a mate. For example: “Let’s cycle right across Germany to the Baltic Sea next year.” We say: Watch out! Because just because he’s a great mate doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a good travelling companion.
Try doing it this way instead: Take past experience into account: Do they have a similar fitness level? Do your expectations of the trip match? Is there a good ‘vibe’ between you? Check these things out beforehand – it’ll save you a lot of drama later on. And always remember: clear communication is key.
4. Misjudging distances
As you know, Komoot, Outdooractive and other providers are great for planning. However, as well as the elevation gain, you should also bear other factors in mind. For example: the surface – you’ll make good time on tarmac or gravel tracks, but you’ll make significantly slower progress on paths with roots or rough cobblestones. Other factors that slow you down include: elevation gain, headwinds, heat or cold.
Try doing it this way instead: Plan your daily stages realistically and bear in mind that breaks for lunch, finding a place to sleep and minor mishaps will take up time. Check your app to see what kind of terrain you can expect and how many metres of elevation gain there are.
5. Too much luggage
“Oh, a third T-shirt wouldn’t go amiss. And a pair of jogging bottoms might be cosy for the evening too,” some of you might be thinking before setting off. Before you know it, your bags are full, and the weight is pulling down on the frame. We say: less is more.
Do it this way instead: Think carefully about what you really need. It’s better to buy a few bits and bobs along the way and wash your clothes every now and then than to take too much with you – especially if you’re planning to cover a fair few kilometres. After all, ‘light travel’ gives you a much better head start.
6. A poorly chosen place to sleep
Right next to a road (noise), near a pond (mosquitoes), in tall grass (damp) or on private land where you’re woken up in the morning by a grumpy owner. Choosing the right place to sleep is absolutely crucial for getting the rest you need.
You’d better do it this way: It’s not worth rushing to choose your first option. Tip: Consider whether you’ll be able to get some peace and quiet there early in the morning. Bear in mind factors such as traffic, how busy it is, humidity and mosquitoes.
7. Poor power management
Mobile phone, AirPods, sat-nav, watch – and now the electronic gearbox as well. Power consumption increases depending on the equipment. Faces look particularly long when the gearbox runs out of power. That’s when you have to pedal in the gear where the battery has failed.
Try doing it this way instead: Pressing the button shows whether there is still enough power left. If the indicator flashes green, the battery level is above 25 per cent. The manufacturer states a running time of around 60 hours for a fully charged battery. This figure drops significantly at low temperatures in winter. For multi-day tours, be sure to charge the battery beforehand – and for tours over 800 kilometres, it is advisable to take a charger with you. By the way: the gear lever also has a battery, which should last for about two years. With your mobile phone, it helps to switch on flight mode from time to time.
8. Eating too late or not eating enough
Cycling until you get hungry, then just stopping somewhere for a bite to eat – a nice idea, but poorly executed. It’s often at precisely that moment that you find yourself searching in vain for a restaurant or similar place. Reaching for an energy bar too late usually has consequences too: in no time at all, your glycogen stores are depleted, your blood sugar drops, and the energy supply to your muscles collapses. Suddenly you feel ‘empty’ or as though you’ve ‘hit a wall’ – a hunger crash!
Do it this way instead: Never wait until you feel hungry – by then it’s usually already too late. Start eating carbohydrates after about an hour and make sure you drink plenty of fluids whilst doing so.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
