Weekend Warrior’s Guide To MTB Bikepacking

Bikepacking is getting more popular all the time, and for good reason! It's a great way to get out further afield on your bike and helps turn a ride into an adventure. Improvements in bikepacking kit have also drastically improved comfort levels, meaning you can look forward to setting up camp rather than dreading it. If you're looking to get into bikepacking, let Blake and Anna give you some hints and tips on how best to get started.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Get planning!
1:34 - Where to sleep
3:18 - Food is key
3:45 - What's the best bike for bikepacking?
4:38 - Bikepacking do's and don't's
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Have you got any bikepacking adventures planned? Do you have any tips for other riders? Share them with the community 💬
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[@gmbn]

Have you got any bikepacking adventures planned? Do you have any tips for other riders? Share them with the community 💬

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Thanks for the shoutout!

[@CMZPICTURES]

I found making a spreadsheet of all my gear is pretty useful. That way I can figure out ways to shed weight, but its also a packing list so I don't forget my spork :-) I also use google docs to keep a big list of possible trips with stuff like train and ferry times. That way when the weather looks good I can pick a pre planned trip rather than starting from scratch. I've definitely picked up some inspiration from your previous bike packing videos so keep up the great work!

[@heatherbellbikes]

I like the idea of having a large list for all possible weathers/trips and then just dragging and dropping what you need from the master list.

[@cruachan1191]

Finishing my current job in a few weeks and planning to do the Forth & Clyde and Union Canal Towpaths (Glasgow to Edinburgh) as my first bikepacking trip. Really looking forward to it!

[@liamthompson7571]

Great stuff man, I've been thinking about doing similar, starting the union canal in flakirk and going to Edinburgh

[@heatherbellbikes]

@@liamthompson7571 I’m thinking something similar for Fort William to Oban. I recently got the Bikepacking Scotland book and it has some cracking looking trips.

[@liamthompson7571]

@@heatherbellbikes that would be a great one to do some day, love it up there

[@ivostarmans1199]

Instead of a tent use a tarp. Like an army tarp. Very light and is setup in 10 seconds.

[@Anandlovesvalorant]

Great video! Bikepacking seems fun and a would love to try it!

[@phil8697]

Love this. Please do more vids on bikepacking adventures including kit, what to pack, route ideas, planning.... Thanks

[@seansixfive]

We all love buying new stuff but quite frankly you can get all your bags from Tesco for 3 quid. One Tesco bag for life and 2 bungees for a seat pack. Another bag for life and three velcro straps for a frame pack and lastly yet another bag for life and two velcro straps for a handlebar bag. Et voila! 💪

[@user-ey6yj5ww8g]

In England another good source of route planning can be local authority websites. They often have maps of cycle routes as well as public rights of way

[@mg6263]

Bikamper tent is discontinued. Show off something that is available now.

[@z0mbie0ma]

i did a few multiday bikepacking trips on my oldschool gravelbike. now im looking for a hardtail mtb to build as a more fun do-it-all bike with trail and tour capabilities. So Blake, if you sell your Scout, hit me up =)

[@user-rv4mq3xv3p]

Here in the Highlands I've got bothies all over the place that at this time of year at least get you away from the midges.... Doing the Cairngorm outer loop soon, did a 180km overnighter taking in the Gaick Pass, Loch Rannoch and Loch Ossian last year...all from the front door!

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

You’re so lucky! I love staying in Scottish bothers

[@elononoras1902]

Scotch Tape is a must have.

[@matt_acton-varian]

Blake looking at that block of cheese longingly thinking it will make a good set of grips 😂😂😂😂

[@ruletocoll1790]

After about 3 years the last Keurig stopped working kzbin.infoUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf initially was able to unblock, however eventually we couldn't fix. That one was a replacement unit sent by the manufacturer after we had problems with our very first Keurig. This works fine (lol, at least for now) however I didn't realize the water reservoir was so much smaller than our prior unit. With 2 people having one or two cups of coffee each morning, it seems like I'm refilling it daily. Otherwise just happy to have the convenience of pod coffee vs. making a morning pot.

[@Mavczers]

Was on a bike packing adventure for a first time last week. Don't forget underwear - thats the lesson I learned.

[@gwlith1578]

Me and my friend are hoping to go bike packing for a week on a tandem somewhere around angels. We're thinking of bringing a tarp and using the bike as a tent, do you think this will work. Need to fabricate a beefy stand for the tandem firs i think 😂

[@CMZPICTURES]

Slugs always put me off tarps. I don't wanna wake up with a slug on my face :-) Good luck with your trip.

[@gwlith1578]

Thanks will see how it goes. Don't really mind about slubs but thanks for the warning🤣

[@jornidema1884]

Unfortunately the Topeka bikekamper is not in production anymore

[@bob69365]

Stop peddling the Topeak Bikamper. They’ve not sold it for years. Would’ve expected a sponsor to know!

[@ChrisBundy17]

You seen any other knockoffs of the design? I do like the concept they show off.

[@philipbaldassini9528]

What about a downhill bike for bike packing ?

[@nevillepretorius8948]

Gravel bikes are not meant for GMBN! 😂

[@AnnaOnTheBike]

😂

[@W1DO]

Nah, mine is a carbon kona honzo with drop bars (although I'm using my steel marin for the next trip)

[@W1DO]

Dont avoid private land in Scotland, also dont stick to bike tracks. Just respect other people and be kind.

[@user-fw7zf8ze3t]

You guys literally made this a week or so ago and it wasn’t very good with Anna then, at least properly stay out and demonstrate rather than force sponsor stuff on us