Bikepacking on the winter solstice

Getting started with bikepacking can seem daunting, but it's actually much easier than most people think, and in this short film, I take out a friend on her first ever bikepacking trip in an effort to prove it. This video will show you how to go on your first bikepacking overnighter, give you an idea of the equipment I like to carry for an overnighter, explain the basics of how to wild camp, and above all, demonstrate that bikepacking doesn't have to be complicated. All you really need is a bike and the motivation to get out and explore.
For my bike and gear list, see: www.tristanridley.com/gear
Merino wool clothing from IsoBaa, for a 25% discount use the link: www.isobaa.com/?ref=x9bdlvgs
I've had quite a few questions about the mudguard used here, it's the Win Wing 2 from Ass Savers: asssavers.avln.me/c/yVURnNEwnsaD
Please consider supporting me on Patreon for early, ad-free access to all future videos as well as exclusive access to bonus content not shared anywhere else:
/ tristanrid
You can also make a one-off donation on PayPal:
paypal.me/tristanrid
Follow me on Instagram for my latest updates: / tristanrid
My website: www.tristanridley.com
Please like and subscribe, as it really helps me out, and let me know in the comments what you thought of the video!

[@nickhancock1662]

Great video. Wild camping is a basic human right and way more beautiful than campsites .

[@tristanrid]

100% agree, that's one more thing that the Scottish do better than we English - up there the right to wild camp is protected by law!

[@nickbanderson]

13:50 its a sacrificial pit for those who complain about climbs! The cone is for the criminal to use as defense. Heh great work mr cupid.

[@tristanrid]

Ahh it all makes sense now! Ahah thank you!

[@aventurando.]

the best thing in life is to enjoy life, a hug from brazil

[@tristanrid]

Absolutely, Abraços!

[@astralspeedy297]

Short one-day trips are exactly how I started a few months ago! :) I love it so far, hopefully I will be able to go on longer trips in the future. Thanks for the insipiration!

[@tristanrid]

No worries, thanks for watching and happy riding!

[@ostekuste3646]

The cone was marking the center of an ancient mini velodrome where tiny Romans held chariot races to the death. Seriously though, I have all the gear but haven’t managed to get out there for an overniter. You have given me that push to do it.

[@tristanrid]

Best theory yet, it makes so much sense! Good luck with your first overnighter, you're going to love it!

[@user-zy6oh5hj5l]

oh that couldn't have come at a better time, I'm doing my first bikepacking trip this month (coast to coast of the UK). My mum hitchiked and cycled all the way around the world before I was born. So she gave me lots of good tips too

[@tristanrid]

Amazing, your mum sounds like a very cool lady! Good luck with your first trip, hope you have fun!

[@user-zy6oh5hj5l]

@@tristanrid I completed it and enjoyed it. At one point I had to push the bike up against extremely strong icy headwinds in the north pennines with hail slashing around me. I am amazed you did a lot of your trips solo. I would love to go on a longer one now but would want to find a partner first since solo was really pushing me!

[@SjoerdDeAardappel]

Truly inspirational! Have you got any tips for how you go about planning routes? I usually find myself just on larger main roads rather than the nice trails haha.

[@tristanrid]

You might find an article I wrote on my website a few years ago useful: www.tristanridley.com/post/navigation I'll be putting together a video for planning bikepacking routes at some point as well, it's just about finding the time!

[@marcellopacifici]

Love the down to Earth and relaxed vibes of this video! Speaking about gears, how do you like that Durston tent? Especially in comparison with the pro model. Thanks and cheers from Finland!

[@tristanrid]

Thanks! I really like the Durston X-Mid, I'd say it's the best designed tent I've used, the only negative is that it's not freestanding, which can be an issue in some places for bikepacking, but they're releasing a freestanding version called the X-Dome later this year which I think will be my perfect tent! I haven't tried the X-Mid pro, but it looks awesome, and much lighter. Obviously more expensive though, and single wall isn't ideal if you're in very wet/humid climates a lot. Always a compromise!

[@aharshephotography]

Thanks for sharing this, I am planning to get into a bike-packing this season and planning 2 trip(s) one short 1 or 2 nights and depending on how that goes a longer 3-4 nights. This video helped me quite a bit. As always love your content.

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, glad it was helpful and best of luck with your first few trips!

[@philippevincent4656]

Bravo Mate, for your very intersting video !

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@CozyCamping911]

Great video. Inspiring. 👏🏻👍🏻. Cheers from the 🇺🇸

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@benfairall7017]

How sweet those 2 are. Looks an ace trip!

[@tristanrid]

Thanks mate, hopefully you'll be joining us in the next one!

[@obikedog]

I so endorse the short trips! I need to do some actually. I've been on several bikepacking adventures. Long rides with camp setup dialed in and the best of intentions. Then when night comes I'm so tired wary of strange surroundings I have Siri find me a hotel! (I have actually bike camped once - at a reserved campground!)

[@tristanrid]

Ha fair enough! I would say it's worth persevering with wild camping since I do find it to be easily one of my favourite parts of the bikepacking experience; once you've done it a few times you'll lose the fear and realise there's nothing to worry about. Maybe try a shorter trip so that you still have energy left at the end of the day, or camp somewhere familiar the first time?

[@ArndellL]

Great video. We do similar things here in MTL with some hidden camping gems. The odd thing is camping, swimming, making a fire then biking into work the next morning! And for the concrete I feel like it would be an AA base from WW2 maybe?

[@tristanrid]

Overnight trips during the work week were always so much fun when I was working a 9-5 job, keeps things interesting! It looks like you're probably right about the concrete, apparently there were a ring of similar bunkers around London, I guess the concrete base is all that's left these days!

[@rbjkeller]

Loved this video, and all your videos! I'm so jealous that you have so many off-road dirt trails to ride on in England. Are they throughout England or was this an exception? I live in America, specifically NC, but I plan to cross the pond next year and cycle throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. Got any itinerary suggestions or any other tips?

[@tristanrid]

I'm from the southeast of England and I wouldn't actually say it's a good part of the world for dirt riding, there are only a few good longer routes and I've ridden them all a LOT 😅 Wales and Scotland are both incredible, though, loads of great options, and there are some good off-road routes in parts of England too. I'd probably consider doing the GB Divide, that's a cool route. Other than that, I'd spend most of my time in Scotland, it's incredible up there!

[@clc1117]

“What’s up KZbin” had me laughing

[@tristanrid]

Haha the man is comedy gold 💁‍♂️

[@MentalHealthJourney]

I am considering my first trip next week. My barrier is I have ptsd that sops me using heat devices and no way to heat up food or water unless I can find a campsite that an provide me with hot water. I hope I can do it!

[@tristanrid]

Good luck! If heat/fire is an issue you can always go stoveless, lots of long-distance hikers do that to save weight and it works fine, carrying a stove is no means necessary, unless perhaps you're travelling in sub-zero temperatures where you need to melt snow for water. This article could be worth a read: www.thehikinglife.com/2016/05/stoveless-hiking-q-a/

[@topcat8891]

The North Downs Way a beautiful trail especially on a hot summers day winter lol is not really my cup of tea 🤣 the concrete bowl is I believe a WW11 structure built by the Canadian Army and was part of the 'stop line' .

[@tristanrid]

Yeah when it gets really wet that route can be pretty frustrating! Ahh thanks for the info, that makes sense, so I guess it was some kind of bunker?

[@davinacaine3615]

I’m a single female who wild camps once my pitch is set up I use what3words to find my location. I then send it to my son and sister so they know where I am

[@tristanrid]

That's a great idea, I have a few friends who do the same!

[@tatrobuz]

Было интересно. Прикольный байк у девушки 🙂

[@tristanrid]

Спасибо за просмотр!

[@Atmaneos]

Very Nice Video, when you start a bigger Tripp again:-) ❤

[@tristanrid]

Very soon, I'll be flying back to out Canada next month! 😃

[@edwardw6915]

Hi Tristan! You previously mentioned using a Durston X-Mid. Was this useful on hard/sloped terrain, or would you have preferred to have a freestanding tent? Thanks.

[@tristanrid]

I really like the X-Mid but yeah there are definitely some places where having a freestanding tent can be a big advantage, more so with bikepacking than hiking, in my experience!

[@edwardw6915]

@@tristanrid Thanks for responding! I appreciate your advice.

[@TerryRamsey-jg8fm]

The point of bikepacking is pitching a tent ⛺️.. Going home is cheating😅

[@tristanrid]

Haha I guess my message is that the point of bikepacking can be whatever you want it to be. Personally, I love wild camping and wouldn't really go on a bike trip without it, but for other people it's different, everything is subjective. As long as people are getting out on their bikes, exploring, and having fun, I'm willing to call that bikepacking. Labels don't really matter IMO, so I don't really think there's 'cheating', we can all make our own rules on this one! 😃

[@Cletten]

I deny all simping allegations

[@DogtorIzzy]

Bit late for that one m8 ;)

[@Cletten]

The squeaking still hasn't been resolved

[@DogtorIzzy]

@@Clettenthe squeaking is the friends we made along the way 😂

[@tristanrid]

Yeahhhhh there's far too much videographic evidence for your denials to have much weight here bud 😘

[@DogtorIzzy]

@@tristanrid we need a simp highlight reel ;) (admittedly from both of us but ssshhshshsh)

[@Matthieu260582]

Reebok bike? Comes with PUMP i hope!!!

[@tristanrid]

I believe it did 😂

[@Huneidu]

A toilet on a train is brilliant.

[@tristanrid]

Ha I guess that's very normal in this part of the world but maybe not everywhere, where are you from?

[@Huneidu]

Currently the United States of America, California. When I lived in Washington, DC the public trains (called the Metro) did not have toilets. @@tristanrid

[@tristanrid]

Interesting, thanks!