6 Tips For Your First Bikepacking Trip

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[@frazergoodwin4945]

One thing to take along with you - flexibility. Perhaps there's road works and you can't go where you'd planned, a bridge is out and the diversion is lengthy, or even a ferry isn't running and the diversion is even longer (all happened to me in the past). How you react and deal with this without getting stressed, nervous or panicked will need a flexible mind set. Got to take this along with you!

[@DefaultName-ms2bb]

Great tip, also in some cases some roads forbid bikes from entering or the road is under construction. As in their video from cycling across america a few months back

[@davidbonn8740]

Plan your trip. Plan to ditch your plan.

[@billincolumbia]

Be ready for your evening destination to not have any food or drink available. A lot of small towns have stores that close early, and that are not even open on Monday and Tuesday. Have a plan in case it happens.

[@DC-lu5qs]

Really enjoying "Lucy's First Bikepacking Trip." Nice to see that a cyclist as experienced as Lucy can still experience new things, and a great reminder to just freaking enjoy riding our bikes in as many ways as we can.

[@lizziecade1902]

Hello DC Dan! 🙋‍♀️

[@DC-lu5qs]

hi@@lizziecade1902​! 🙋

[@edster591]

Showering in your kit, and drying it in a towel, I did that for a two week tour...wore the same kit the whole time....great tip to share, and it works

[@teddgram]

I don't worry about having extra clothes in case I ruin something along the way. There's usually somewhere to pick up clothing along the way. I've finished a tour or 2 wearing a jersey advertising some bike shop I stopped at along the way.

[@DC-lu5qs]

dollar general sells clothes, right?

[@ReneSaarsoo]

Definitely. I've never packed spare clothing. Just like I've never packed a spare bike. Never had an issue. If I do crash, I have more serious things to worry about than holes in my jersey.

[@stefaanverschelde5852]

A friend and me are cycling from Ghent to Strasbourg in 7 days starting in about a month, we both got Tailfins from watching your videos and are more then excited to try them out on this trip! We did book every hotel in advance since this is our first proper trip and didn't want to stress out too much and just enjoy the ride, but we did get cancellation insurance on every booking if things go wrong. thanks for the tips ! :)

[@SyLens1]

Veel succes met de rit! Hopelijk is het weer binnen 1 maand wel goed ;)

[@kazaroth]

Would you recommend the Tailfins? Did you take your bikes up to every hotel room and was it fine? :)

[@ThePepsicola1995]

Mostly have fun! I went from Maastricht to sarajevo with a bud in two months and the best thing we did was to just do what we liked. Took time for everything, never made it about needing to do at least xxkm or something similar

[@stefaanverschelde5852]

@@kazaroth i finished my trip this weekend, it was an awesome experience and the Tailfins held up nicely. In most hotels we couldn't take our bikes on the room but i contacted each one in advance to check if they had a dedicated bike storage. Only one didnt but they let us park in an empty meeting room that wasn't being used that weekend. Then it literally took seconds to take off the Tailfins and go to room. So yes i would definately recommend them!

[@stuartchester6899]

Talk about cushy..On my really long Continental bike rides I only ever stuck a tent up , sometimes in tall Maize fields to hide..Modern cyclists are a bunch of wusses...booking hotels in advance ! You re certainly don t intend roughing it lol

[@markreams3192]

Booking rooms in advance if you’re cycling through popular vacation areas in season is probably necessary. On your trip if you were able to take the coast highway booking one day in advance, you may find everything already booked leaving you without a room. I did a similar trip in 2019 only on the coast highway.

[@timbridgman8236]

Great video and always good to see how others do it. One tip; cut a 1 inch piece of mtb inner tube and use to hold your front brake on when your resting it against something. This stops the bike rolling away and falling over

[@viktorvolaric-horvat5190]

Oh wow, this is one of those excruciatingly simple, tiny details that stops a huge and inexhaustible sources of frustration! Thank you a thousand times, man, I can't wait to try this out on my next trip!

[@tiny.tinnet5075]

Thanks! So simple, yet so helpful! Will definitely try those our next time! 😀

[@fotografamos4083]

Regarding cancelling your hotel booking last-minute, there's a hack: usually hotels let you reschedule your stay for free, so you can just call them to postpone to a few days later. And THEN you cancel it.

[@Rob-fx5yn]

lol

[@Skatted]

Sly

[@DC-lu5qs]

it is a good hack but a lot of places have wised up to it and don't allow rescheduling during the cancellation penalty window. it's hit or miss. not something to rely on but good to try in a pinch!

[@velander_dd]

@@DC-lu5qs Sure, but if they let you reschedule it to a day later, because you're having an impromptu rest day in the town before, you don't need to cancel it.

[@thatwebbloke]

Tip 7 go with someone that has done it before.

[@thomaslopez4946]

tip 8 test all matérials at home before... ( bivouac things specialy)

[@coryhigginbotham1705]

Nah figgure it out on your own it's the only way to grow, I have done 3 300 mile plus trips and its always fun figguring things out.

[@ze_nac5313]

It made my trips 10x easier just to adjust littles thing that were in fact really important that you wouldn’t know.

[@spacetimepotato]

I’m planning a solo trip for my first one. Sounds like you wouldn’t recommend it?

[@zerkorj]

Yeah so if you know no one who's done it you would never do it 🤦🏿‍♀️

[@chrisshave7129]

kit washing and drying ...... genius🤩

[@Davidb67]

Did this on last year’s London to Paris (which isn’t really bike packing as it’s a supported charity event), purely because Francis had suggested it on a previous video, and it worked a treat - mentioned it to the others in our team, and all thought it was a great idea

[@bobbyt7444]

Use mtn bike pedals because its easier to walk around in when touring.

[@maximiliandeisz2961]

I normaly also use spd pedals on road bike shoes but I used gravel/touring shoes on my tours as it meant a) waterproof cycling shoes and b) I didn't need to pack other shoes(besides flip flops)

[@davidscholefield5504]

"Remember to enjoy it" is such good advice. I tend to stress about every last detail to the point that I don't think I take in the fun of it all - just relaxing into the ride would make all the difference. Nice video :)

Regarding weight distribution I'm a huge fan of frame bags for all the heavy stuff.

[@Bazza1968]

Make sure it's geared for the expected conditions....I'm running a rigid steel MTB and for road/off road here in the Scottish Highlands I find that 22/36 by 11-32 is fine once you've got kit on the bike....downhills are for freewheeling and recovering! Just remember too that flat bars and 8/9 speed setups(separate gears/shifters) can be replaced pretty much anywhere in the world.... try that with your GRX or electronic shifting in the 3rd world ??

[@MrDraich]

Compression bags! Awesome space saver! And i got the tip from Chris Hall, eye mask and earplugs!

[@jekyll8004]

Love the content, Francis! I watch it all although I do really enjoy your bike packing trips. Great to see Lucy in this one! Hi Lucy! 👋

[@moobaz8675]

My wife and I cycled to our French home in the Dordogne from Bath. It was probably one of the best holidays we've had. Beautiful scenery, chilled ride and just no pressure. The key to it was to just be flexible, but boy did we take too much! 🙄😅

[@sandgroper1970]

Not Bike packed or Cycle toured yet, but I have backpacked a bit, done some hiking as well. So being able to remain flexible is important, if you need to be somewhere by a set date, make sure you have a few days up your sleeve before you absolutely need to be at said destination. You could wake up one morning and just feel bleh and want a lazy day, or something catches your eye along the way, or simply even a mechanical..

[@tomsitzman3952]

It's the journey, Not the finish line.

[@waisinglee1509]

Couple of things; a) a big whack of cash solves any issues and b) no bungie straps! Thanks for the video!

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

If you have electronics, bring along the charger + one USB cable to connect it with. Charger cables are prone to fail at the least opportune times. In addition if you are going off road, bring or rent a satellite comm device. Cellular signals can and do vanish. Even in areas with encampments.

[@Csapi007]

Such good advices, not just the usual boring stuff!

[@JoeCincotta307]

Enjoy the ride! Best advice

[@Ok_Rouleur]

I’m 6,000k/3 months in my current bike trip and I still find it interesting to watch. The hardest : eating.

[@aizins3420]

as a student with little to no budget my food on long rides usually consists of chocolate bars with some crispies and nuts in them or little cakes. they don't have enough carbs in them but the sugar keeps me going lol

[@shahrim578]

Can't get enough of that beautiful bike.

[@samradcliff8817]

Remaining flexible is something I learnt last year me and my sister did Lands End to John O’Groats but had all the accommodation pre booked(this was largely due to the fact that in many of the places we were staying there was limited availability for a good price) however this did become a bit of a problem by the time we got to northern England we desperately needed a rest day but were unable to take one as we had accommodation to get to alongside being struck with some terrible weather especially for the summer it made it unnecessarily tough. We managed to complete the trip anyway but we definitely could have enjoyed it a bit more as cycling through Yorkshire is actually pretty beautiful but we were too shattered to really care.

[@Qnnrad]

You are so great, love your energy. Good info and inspration!

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Ooh. Nice tip on the shower and towel. Must remember that one.

[@malcontent_1]

Haha, I'm so relieved you left space in your bags for the huge wad of cash you absconded with from the casino.

[@tomsitzman3952]

It is important to munch all day and not let your fuel level drop. But make sure you have more water than you think you need. You can't eat without water. Some riders like to start the morning on a full stomach, other like to snack and go and stop at mid-morning for a meal. Avoid Bonking at all costs. Three major causes of Bonking, drop in fuel level, dehydration, overheating. On a hotel trip, bring, emergency camp gear. Just in case you get stranded. I.e, light tarp, light weight body cover. Only has happened to me a time or two in the past 50 years.

[@renobodyrenobody]

Haaa, we just finished 1200km with my wife across China, from Tianjin to Xi'an. Lot of rain and mud the last week, we brought some oil to clean the transmission system and I tend to think it's mandatory. I would like to add a point about some lights on the bike, and this time we also used a Xiaomi electronic pump, heavy but your are shure to go to 90psi without a huge pump.

[@sfdint]

Really useful tips. I'm in the process of ordering a Tailfin setup. Oy, it is expensive, but hands down the best. I plan on having the 20 liter aeropack and 2 10 liters on the Tailfin and a large handlebar bag for my tent and sleeping gear. Would like to avoid using a framebag to free up space for my water bottles and to avoid the problem of sailing in a crosswind.

[@chrisjoyce5539]

My first road trip was round Scotland 2 years ago and followed most. Francis tips and work. One thing I would say is invest in tailphine bags because the bags tend move side to side. Which mind did. Ps hotel is best way travel

[@Hawkeye948]

Not to overload is always a very helpful advise. But with sleeping bag and tent and maybe some foodstuff not so easy to practise.😉

[@alethearobinson8132]

Good tips all. After a few trips everyone will have the set up that works for them. Thanks for another good video

[@maximiliandeisz2961]

for my first roadbike tour(1 week in sweden with 3 people) I actually just used a seatbag(16.5l ortlieb) a frame pack(4l also ortlieb) and had a selfsown bag for under my aero bar for my tarp and bug bivy. I also had a pot and a stove with me(another friend was carrying the gas). I got away with using one set of bike cloths as for me it is more comfortable to ride in underwear(160km in one day without any creams and with underwear. I didn't have any problems what so ever) and I had 2 sets of anti sweat tanktops(van rysel bike underwear). at the end of the tour I had sweat/salt marks on the back but all in all everything was still smell free. but next time I would probably take one less of normal t shirts and swap it for another bike shirt. I would also leave the stove at home as I am someone that doesn't have a probablem with eating bread with peanut butter and some fruit all week for every meal. In regards to weight distribution I'd say it was fine when I was on the bike but yes when turning the bike with one hand it could be bad sometimes. But I didn't trust the self made bag enough to put clothes in it and the cooking stuff was too big.

[@kazaroth]

How do you know which hotels will accommodate bikes / allow you to take the bikes to the rooms?

[@kalebzehr6850]

In America just take it in. They’ll never say no

[@Cade_Media]

as the first reply says, USA has never been a problem. In Europe hotels can be funny about it, usually I try and wheel my bike in, if they argue then they have to provide a safe place.

[@filipedeataideramos]

Usualy the same room where they keep your bags after checkout. :)

[@kazaroth]

@@Cade_Media @Kaleb Good to know! I've done one trip, in the UK, and I pre-booked every stop as I was really scared of hitting this problem. I did Premier Inns where I could because they promise to let you take bikes up. I'd love to do a less 'pre-planned' trip as you suggest but this was always the sticking point. If you ever do a follow up video, I think some stuff about the logistics (thrilling, huh? :D) of this kind of touring would be great - surprisingly hard to find info online about it.

[@jonathanbenn2241]

Fill your bottles when ever you can. Eat whenever you can. Use indoor plumbing whenever you can.

[@erics9214]

1. Always be eating - Pay attention to nutrition, eat some fruits and vegs, one cannot live on bars and gels. 2. Don't book everything - Not sure how you would even do this. It would make for a hectic, micro-scheduled ride. Usually a day in advance is good enough. 3. Avoid over packing. - Great advice. But make sure you have some rain and warmth gear most places. Nothing is worse than being cold and wet. 4. Keep space free. - Especially if you're camping, you'll need space for carrying a day or two of food. Not a bad idea any time. Shops and restaurants may be closed when you get there. 5. Shower kit wash and dry. - Works pretty well. On longer trips, a proper clothes wash will keep your kit from getting too skanky (sour smelling). 6. Remember to enjoy it. - Goes without saying.

[@SignorLuigi]

#1 tip: Bring a great friend with you on your trip as Shared Experiences are the Lessons of the Heart. ❤️

[@lizziecade1902]

Hello Luigi 🙋‍♀️x

[@SignorLuigi]

@@lizziecade1902 HELLO LIZZIE!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌

[@andrewwcoyle]

Did Vancouver to San Diego in 1985, we ate a lot! Maybe return one day, but there's so much to see in Europe.

[@LVang152]

I start biking this year and learn hard. Eating and drinking are very important.

[@_carsonjones]

ROK Straps are fantastic for bike touring. Highly recommend.

[@djokopras2582]

I do bicycle touring only on the main island of Java where I can always find eating places and convenient stores every now n then, so I don't pack food, only a bottle of water. Decent hotels normally found in cities every 50km or so, and can be booked online on the day before I expect to arrive. Never brought tents n cooking stuffs

[@MegaToddski]

If it is going to be cold thermal cycling tights. These can be worn under lightweight nylon track bottoms off the bike too.

[@49tkscott]

My tip would be, learn some basic maintenance. I went bike packing and none of then knew how to maintain a bike.

[@ianmarkham149]

If you are staying in hotels, don't bother with any personal hygiene products. Toothbrush and toothpaste is all you need. After you've washed your kit and yourself on arrival, you'll be clean. You get your food, eat and then go to sleep for X hours. You won't need deodrant. And even if you do smell, you won't see these people again. Also the tiny tubes of toothpaste you get on flights will actually give you enough for 4 times cleaning, so great for weekend trips.

[@vplph]

Tip 101.... Listen to your body ( and mind) . No need to hurt yourself today, on the long run you'll loose if you get injured or drained.

[@stuartdilts2729]

Unless it's super bulky or heavy, it's hard to pack too many snacks. From experience, running out of food sucks. Yes, you can bring too much food, but if you have a day's worth left over, it's not a bad thing.

[@larisonjohnson]

Keep those blown out tubes, you just might be able to use a “McTuberson “ at some point. Sunscreen and spare batteries for the tech.

[@kamillo198311]

Best tip is... do not listing to anyone, as every trip is different! Just take as much stuff, as you think is best for you go for 2-3 nights and then you will know best what was good and what was not necessary and for another bikeacking adventure you'll be smarter for you own experience.

[@mikewrld]

Lucy is great!

[@echtogammut]

Look at the elevation and be realistic about how many miles you can travel in a day. Leave time to stop and enjoy the scenery, but also plan for days where you are going to put your head down and chew miles to get that section over with.

[@guitarmattpdx]

Right at the beginning of this video, as you crossed from Goleta into Santa Barbara, you rode past Rudy's Mexican Restaurant without stopping. Pro Santa Barbara tip: Try not to ever do that again.

[@arcoulant87]

Wear mtb shoes (spd ) easy to walk around off the bike and always have a 2nd breakfast.

[@filipedeataideramos]

Agreed (no need an extra set of shoes, just flip-flops/sandals). I use the Giro Rumble VR.

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Currently wildcamping in the Peak District, so my tip would be if you are camping be aware of your elevation. Someone told me once that for every 100m climbed the temperature falls 1C. I dunno how true this is all I know is that I wish I brought a snood and full fingers gloves 😂 At 400m under clear skies its pretty cool on the hands this evening!

[@davidjohnston1374]

I think you'll find that it's less 2 C for every 1,000 ft or 300 mtrs.

[@gubsak55]

Expect up to 1 degree Celsius for every 100 meter. In Germany this is usually correct.

[@yoalmocalderon3197]

Bright 🔆 colors 🎉 is key 🗝

[@kurt9609]

When you get a room, sink/shower wash your socks, shorts etc. before dinner so they're dry by morning ..unless you don't mind damp chamois.

[@mr_raaay]

dont sit down for a pint which turns into 9 when you still have 40 miles to go......

[@alistairtravels]

Always use one kit and wash it every day, I mostly book hotels at the destination.

[@willalm830]

For me its dont overload all that stuff you have to carry up each and every hill, think long and hard as to what is needed, you can end up pulling a caravan and what should be fun just endurance

[@Savia.420]

I came across this video while in south korea on the other side of the wolrd preparing for a bike trip and I see the road to my tiny home town of lockwood in the background at 1:32 😅

[@stuartnathan1480]

Can you do a video on budget bikepacking...not everyone can afford £350 tailfin racks😂I've done a few trips with basic equipment and had a great time

[@nickcarolan2805]

Nice one Francis. 👍🇮🇪

[@jonpoon3896]

Request hotel room with wheelchair access. Which means no stairs, and potentially a bigger room/bathroom. Bath/shower area has a seat

[@philiprayner]

can you use a step through bike or a cruiser bike for touring ?

[@ironboy3245]

Would you recommend bringing a small backpack along with you to have a water bladder in so you can keep sipping from a fairly large water reserve instead of using bottles?

[@Cade_Media]

I would avoid hydration packs if you can because they are not that comfortable (having ridden with one across the USA!)

[@ironboy3245]

@@Cade_Media I was thinking one of the decathlon water bladders but I'll take it under consideration

[@porkstew2612]

Hello yall!!

[@Justeunederniere]

Hi from France. What is for gel in the beginning of the video? Thanks.

[@6242-j1z]

can you mount 1.6 foot height 40pounds bag on rear seat?

[@JoseFLuis]

Which brand is the helmet you are using?

[@redauwg911]

go back two or three videos they tell you

[@WaechterDerNacht]

It just made me laugh: 1. let's spare the cables by making wireless electronic shifting. 2. Let's pack light for bikepacking trips 3. I need the specific charger to charge the batteries of the electronic shifting... Yes, i will stay with mechanical shifting for the foreseeable future. Also because i don't want electronics for stuff that is already solved reasonable in a mechanical way.

[@stopdropandroll]

Which frameset does lucy have?

[@NINTY-LGND]

“Fuelling properly” as she drinks coke lol

[@jakob_tmb]

In cycling drinking coke can be proper fuel as it has sugars, hydrates and has caffeine

[@NINTY-LGND]

@ watch a video of what coke does to your body.

[@HullioGQ]

At minute 4:58, what type of bag is on the rack? I would like to get something sizable like that.

[@AlignmentCoaching]

It is bike packing if you’re not sleeping in a tent? Otherwise bike touring?

[@buildingreno]

Tip #6 x 2!!

[@michaelaiello9525]

Not everyone can pound the calories on a ride. I have actually had devastating digestive issues, acid reflux, dumping, cramping etc. trying to keep up with everyone else’s tour intake. I have buddies who are eating machines and have caused myself digestive grief trying to keep up with loading calories while logging miles. You know your body. Because of my system , I run pretty lean off the bike. On the bike .. no surprise … I need to still run pretty lean or else I can create problems . Good proteins and dehydrated greens and good meals at the end of the day work for me. Be gentle; an overtaxed digestive system won’t benefit your ride.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Francis and Lucy....so Francis , are you available for a week in August ? I think to have THE person with the most knowledge would be helpful , indeed ! I have seen all of your previous excursions , with many others in tow . I will use all of the advice in them , and this one as well....gonna need it

[@SolarizeYourLife]

Move the water bottles and put in a body/frame bag!!!

[@lifesqud8420]

alr but what bike would you recommend for 1k

[@thibaudrebour1842]

Thank you for your interesting and informative video. There are a few small points of detail that bothered me a little. I'd like to share them with you in this commentary. The arrow in the photo that shows a particular product, I find a poor choice compared to the actual content of the video. It misleads the person considering watching the video. It can be interesting to say what you think in a video, but sometimes it's also interesting to know if it's consistent with science and known knowledge at a given time. The body is perfectly capable of maintaining physical activity and fasting, contrary to what you're saying. There are a multitude of studies showing the health benefits of fasting and regular exercise. Finally, soda consumption has also been recognized by a multitude of studies as one of the worst scourges for both our bodies and our teeth, even though some major brands are still official sponsors of major sporting events.

[@bimmerfan729]

I might have missed it but what bike is Lucy riding? It looks dope

[@davidp7414]

Go back a couple of videos, the episode about what to pack, she talks about her bike

[@bimmerfan729]

@@davidp7414 Awesome, thanks!

[@Emu86]

What bike does Lucy ride?

[@Bentzel75]

Good video !

[@mpanini5694]

What bike is Lucy riding?

[@harpo.marx1917]

Good stuff, good bikes, good clothes and good life. I just have one doubt, is a carbonised and sweetened industrial drink (very famous) necessary in your diet?

[@jacksonbangs6603]

When I did my national bicycle tour around America I didn't book motels or campgrounds.

[@gboy05]

so much better to camp in the wild!

[@JCW86]

Are you two a couple? Just friends? I noticed you share the same hotel/motel rooms on the tour

[@NeverTooTiredToRideTwoTyres]

Washing clothes in the shower and drying them by rolling then up is an awesome tip, thanks

[@user-jk2zm7uq5s]

That is why they give you so many towels ;)

[@StephHall95]

Currently sporting a bruise that matches Lucy's perfectly 😂 Oops!

[@Dems411]

nice

[@tomreingold4024]

I think your speech style is becoming slightly American. I’m writing from NYC, so you can take that as a compliment.

[@PorthLlwyd]

Tip 7 - use low carbon travel to get to your start point. (Flying is bad)

[@thejeffinvade]

What helmet is Lucky wearing? So unique.

[@cneubert28]

Potato Waffles > Waffle Fries

[@rodionovivan]

What is the white helmet, that girl wearing?

[@stevenbissett]

Take a trailer rather than panniers and racks. If you have to replace your bike then your racks may not fit the new bike.

[@JasonF19001]

Great tips. Buuuut, a 7th tip would be not to get distracted making videos while you're riding.