5 Bikepacking Tips for Beginners

[@daveclark8788]

Such a true, positive message; hang in there and keep riding.

[@Cycling366]

Thanks Dave!

[@RidingTheLongWayHome]

All good advice. I'll add one that took me time to learn. Sleeping bags retain heat, they don't generate it. If you get in cold you will stay cold. Put on dry clothes and do a few quick exercises to raise your body temperature immediately before getting in to the bag.

[@Cycling366]

Absolutely!

[@tilleylepew5944]

Hit the nail on the head first. Every time I've been bikecamping , I finish with two lists. One of stuff I wish I brought. Two of stuff I didn't use or could've done without. List two is always twice the size of list one.

[@Cycling366]

Absolutely! Very easy to get into the mindset of ‘what if?’

[@johnnydoe66]

Great advice. I once dropped out of a cross state ride, as did around 60% of other riders. It was 102° the first day and then storms with over 4" of rain each of the next two days. My gear was soaked and unbeknownst to me, my BB bearing was getting ready to lock up from all the moisture and grit. Literally the next ride my crankset wouldn't turn about 20 miles into my ride. Sometimes you just have to take a loss or it might be worse.

[@Cycling366]

Cheers! Great anecdote there, always best to turn round if it’s dangerous. Not worth it!

[@henkwoltjer7256]

Great advice! The sleeping gear is absolute the most important tip. A good matras with good insulation and lightweight is very expensive but worth the money. Same for the sleeping bag. Merino wool underwear is also important in my opinion. Have fun!

[@Cycling366]

Agreed! Warm clothes and decent sleeping gear is a good starting point for anyone

[@teddgram]

I am not as experienced as you, but I've learned these tips quickly on my own adventures. Your tip #1 is a rule I've lived by for every trip I take, including car camping, traveling via plane, traveling for work, etc. The sleep system for sure needs to be comfy. Thermarest makes wide versions of some of their pads. Total game changer. Also, having a quilt made a huge difference. Too hot? Stick your feet out. Too cold, zip up the foot box. Very versatile. If I could add one tip it would be to get a kitchen scale and weigh everything. It really helps to weed out the heavy items and also encourages you to bring lighter versions of the same thing, or to bring items they serve more than one purpose. This in turn can cut down on the bulk of what you bring which leaves more room for food and water.

[@Cycling366]

Thank you! All good advice

[@DavidMackenzie]

One I'd add. Don't get too small a tent. 1 man tents can be tiny with nowhere to put your gear if it rains. I always travel with a two man tent.

[@Cycling366]

Cheers David! That’s a good one, I’ve made that mistake on the past

[@DanielEarlester]

Something you've mentioned on a previous video - try not to eat too much junk food. It's easy to try to get the calories you need from chocolate and sweets but this soon becomes a chore. Bring a stove and gas canister and buy noodles, veggies, and make a good tea. Swap chocolate for trail mix or nuts sometimes,

[@Cycling366]

Indeed! So easy to just eat 💩 when doing this, it’s good to get your proper food in!

[@CycleXplorer]

Packing light is a good one but takes some experience to realise just how little you can get by on. I used to take so much stuff but over time it's got less and less. Good tips.

[@Cycling366]

Indeed! I started out that way too, then went too far the other way! Less isn’t always more :)

[@garyboyle695]

Take merino wool base layers.

[@Cycling366]

Good shout. That’s something I always do as well

[@andreasbeaverman1996]

Have question if this is good idea or just bad. So my first bikepacking was about 85 ish km and my setup was my tent on The cockpit my sleeping bag and pad was on rear rack. Rest was in my backpack witch weight was 11kg that was my first mistake. My next future trip will be Total 120km and plan is my sleeping bag, pad and my tent/hammock on The bike and other camping equipment and food and stuff will be backpack. So The Total weight will be about 15kg is that good or bad idea? Btw want my 65L backpack with me So i can do mini hikes thru nature reserves

[@Cycling366]

Nice, sounds good 👌 not quite sure what you mean but it’s always a good idea to put more weight on the bike rather than your back if you can help it.

[@capturemylife]

Another tip regarding sleeping is..bring a hat. Even in summer your head can get uncomfortably cold. Especially if you are follically challenged like me😂

[@Cycling366]

Always! Nice to have a buff at least

[@fortesfortunajuvat6782]

I had to learn not to turn my days into time trials. The way I broke that habit was to cut my days into 25 mile chunks. Over time, that distance increased but, it was a good starting point. Also, if you're not in a race learn to stop every once in a while. Get off the bike. Walk around. Take some time to take in the scenery. Basic bike packing ain't a race.

[@Cycling366]

Yeah definitely takes some practice not smashing it every day.

[@fuzean1]

the old adage stays true, its not the destination but the friends we made along the way....

[@Cycling366]

Cool 😎

[@TheCoopsvids]

👍🏻👍🏻🚴

[@Cycling366]

🙏

[@JonEyv]

Bent gears cause making too much force while changing gears my first big thing i broke

[@Cycling366]

Always best to take it steady

[@JonEyv]

My peesonal advice to stay safe: Dont climb very to very high places and then go down so fast you end up risking your life so badly dwscendign with gear is dangerous

[@Cycling366]

Yeah good point