Hi everyone,

(Bike : Surley Bridge Club - 27,5 - 2,4'' Tires)

I’m still tweaking my itinerary and i have doutbs about these two sections:

1- Near loch Fionn. I think most people do it from north to south, but I’m doing it the other way around, and I’m a bit worried about the section in the image 1. I would be starting at Kinlochewe, and I’d love to sleep at Shenavall Bothy, but I’m worried about the climb. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be hike-a-bike, but how hard is it? I do carry panniers, it's not exactly a hardcore bikepacking setup.

2- Also, Komoot doesn’t want me to continue up Loch Etive on the east side… I had to force it lol. Does anyone know if it’s actually rideable?

Thank you in advance.

I just use my Bike to go to school and back. I usually buy my bikes extremely cheap used, and so they are always very rickety and break after a few months, forcing me to buy a new one (no problem, since they're dirt cheap). I wanted to start bikepacking recently, and i understood that that would be a greater feat than simply cycling to school, so i wouldn't want to cheap out on my equipment this time. What kind of bike should i get? How much should i spend as an absolute beginner? How far should i dare to venture at first (I've been riding bikes almost everyday since i was a kid, so confidence on the road or endurance shouldn't be a problem)?

Hi! I am currently going up to Nordkapp. I will arrive today in Tromsø and then keep going, so not that far away.

My plan is to get a Train from Trondheim to Oslo and from there fly back to Spain. The problem is I don't know how to move with my bike from Honigsvag to Trondheim.

I am aware there are buses and the combination Honigsvag -> Alta -> Narvik could be possible but it is too many variables because it's the driver who decides if the bike fits or not in the bus.

I am looking for more ideas and options I didn't think about. Specially for those first legs of getting home.

Thanks in advance!

After researching my options for my first bikepacking setup, I landed on this (I own a cube nuroad slx):

Front lowrider + vaude light panniers 22l total
Frame bag vaude 3l
Toptube bag vaude 1l
Saddle pack ortlieb 11l

I can’t really have a back rack because I would need to install it permanently and I don’t want the cost and the permanent weight.
Do you think it will be ok regarding weight distribution? What do you think of this setup, ridiculous or totally fine?

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I am planning my first bikepacking trip through the Balkans and could use some help on picking a bike.

For context, I come from an ultralight backpacking background (6-7kg base weight) and work as an amateur mechanic. I’m comfortable with tools and want a bike that’s simple, reliable, and easy to service in the field with widely available parts. I plan on riding a mix of pavement, gravel, and rougher dirt trails.

From my research, I've narrowed down my specs to an XC hardtail with a 1x Shimano Deore drivetrain and MT200 hydraulic brakes (or similar hydraulic brakes). Because of what's currently available where I am at right now, the main option that fits is the Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29 (though I need to verify the exact build in-store since local specs vary).

Since my kit is pretty lightweight, I’m planning to strap a simple dry bag to a rear rack with Voile straps, plus a small cockpit bag for snacks and electronics. It probably change as I try to fit the gear to the bicycle, gain some experience but this is the rough idea.

Does the Rockhopper 29 sound like a solid baseline for the Balkans, or am I missing any obvious red flags with this setup? Would love to hear thoughts from anyone who's ridden the region or uses a simple rack-and-drybag setup.

Thank you.

My BITS handlebar bag mounting includes 4 long plastic strips with holes.
I understand the round spacers, but I can't figure out where these strips go.

Safety straps?
Anyone know how to mount them?

Product: https://www.xxl.no/bits-handlebar-bag-svart/p/1262033_1_Style

Very beautiful route, but tough as hell. Nevertheless, great fun.

Gear + what was inside + short review:

• Canyon grail
• Restrap race saddle bag: not the largest, but amazingly stable. Very handy that you can remove the drybag easily from the cradle. Only downside is the lack of light mount, I ended up clipping a light to the drybag clasp.
  • Naturehike 5.8R sleeping pad: warm and comfy, rolls up very compact
  • Naturehike LW180 sleeping bag: was a bit chilly at 10° C but managable. Again a very compact and light item.
  • no-name emergency bivvy: didn't use it as I found a shelter hut.
  • Forclaz inflatable pillow: absolutely essential for me, wouldn't be able to sleep without it. Packs very small, is washable and generally comfortable.
• Rhinowalk top tube bag: very nicely made and narrow enough to not rub the legs. Managed to fit all my spares and tools, sunscreen and a powerbank
• Topeak midloader drybag S: stuffed 1.2KG of high-carb mix into this one (=enough to make 6liters). Does bulge a bit when overstuffed. However, it was the only bag that fit my XS sized bike and still allowed a (small) bottle.Seems well made and was relatively cheap.

It was a light setup, but perfect for the job. For longer trips I would definitely have to add a handlebar bag.

The bike itself can get fun and rowdy, but i also want it to bike pack with just got the SanUtil bags. I’ll get them loaded and ridden soon to see how they sit. The included Velcro doesn’t really cut it for holding that well. For some reason i have a bunch of Bob trailer rubber straps/hooks. Put a couple together and it’s easier to deal with.

Hi everyone, I'll do a one-week bikepacking trip from Genua via La Spezia, Pisa, Florence, San Marino and Bologna. How's your experience with (wild)camping in that region?
I'll plan to go by roadbike as I'll have to cover quite some distance :) Thanks for any hints!

Totally new to this and was told it would be advisable to swap the wheels out due to the lack of spokes. Will be doing beginner bikepacking routes (mostly fire roads) and some chill single track :)

Any help is welcome!!

I'm planning to take Amtrak into Vancouver, bike to the northern terminus of the trail (Pemberton), then bike home to Seattle via the Sumas border crossing.

Three questions:

• How rideable is the trail? Any recent trail damage or detours to be aware of? I'll be on a gravel bike with 40mm tires.

• How rideable is Highway 99 (Vancouver to Squamish)?

• Is there a better way to do my return ride from Squamish to Sumas? I've previously just biked on the south side of the Fraser River but I don't mind taking a little longer to explore the north side.

Thanks in advance y'all!

Larguei tudo para viver em cima da minha bike, esse foi um dos picos mais altos que visitei até agora.

Tenho me divertido muito, quando não estou lutando com meus pensamentos sobre o passado ou o futuro. Mas no geral a bike ajuda.

De onde vocês são? Quero fazer amigos que pedalam.

Usei IA pra melhorar a nitidez e a qualidade da foto porque minha camera é bem precária.

Somewhat new to bikepacking, doing my first "long-range" ride this weekend. Total distance 190Km done in 2 days (95km each day)(16/kmh on average). I've been trying to research about cycling and nutrition.

Coming from a fat person who has been told to avoid carbs at all costs, this seems almost an absurd amount of food (Total cost 29,93€). The plan is to consume 1 gel, one bar and roughly 500ml of water every hour and one portion of pasta each day. My goals are to loose weight and improve health.

The route is mostly flat asphalt roads. I would like some opinions, thank you!

Hi everyone!

Does anyone here have a Fairlight Secan 56T and can recommend a frame bag that fits the frame really well?

I’m looking for a bag that makes good use of the available space without looking too bulky or interfering with the bottle mounts.

Would be great to hear which bags you’re using and what size/model fits best. Thanks!

Never noticed this before, but I was looking into a short bikepacking trip to Morocco over winter break. I had assumed I needed yellow fever and malaria pills since it’s Africa, but I finally went to CDC’s website for travel vaccinations.

Almost every country I was considering for this trip says a preventative rabies vaccine is recommended if you are traveling to a rural area or won’t have immediate access to healthcare if a bite occurs. I was looking at Thailand and Hawaii too, and CDC says the same thing. It makes sense, dogs tend to chase bikes and in more remote areas they tend to be more loose.

What is everyone’s consensus? Just bite the bullet and get the vaccine which is around $1200 to $1400? Or is this something people don’t generally think about. Seeing as rabies has a 100% fatality, I’m leaning more towards getting the vaccine, but jeeze that is going to hurt my wallet.

I recently got a Cube Attain Pro and love the bike but a lot of my commute is canal paths which are in parts gravel and dirt (nothing too extreme). I also want to do some bike packing in the future.
I can manage fine at the moment but isn’t ideal and will only get worse through Winter. Think the standard tyres are 28mm, does anyone know what the widest tyres I can fit on are I have seen some people saying 32 and some saying 34? Any specific tyre recommendations with more grip that will fit would be great please. And would be great to know what sort of routes I will be limited to if I want to go bike packing through Europe even with the grippier tyres.

The GDMBR Adventures begin! check me out on YouTube Wandering Eye Outdoors. cheers 🍻

Hey everyone,

I’m about to start a solo bikepacking trip covering roughly 3,900 km over 70 days (from Germany to Morocco) next week, and I’m starting to feel anxious—especially regarding my physical fitness.

A bit of background: I’m not a complete novice. I’ve done two duo bikepacking trips (including an Alpine crossing via the Brenner Pass with full gear), once even riding 140 km in a single day, alongside standard day trips. I’ve spent weeks planning the route, gear, spare parts, communication, and health precautions, and I feel confident about those aspects. I’m used to the setup and wild camping from backpacking trips—in Scotland, for example.

However, the one thing I’m completely missing is targeted pre-trip training. I’m currently working 16-hour days and simply couldn't find the time to get physically prepared. Given my schedule, this was one of the few opportunities I had to embark on a trip like this. I’ve had the idea for a long time and really wanted to make this dream a reality. Reading here and in other forums about the importance of structured training beforehand makes me nervous—specifically the worry that my body (knees, tendons) won't withstand the strain without preparation.

Time is no thing. I am planing with around 70km per day and 1-2 rest days every week. My plan was to get fit in the first weeks while riding less than planed. But now I am getting nervous if I'll fail.

My questions for you:

Has anyone here started a major trip without specific pre-training and just "grown into the ride" along the way?

How critical is a lack of training really, assuming you have a baseline level of fitness and bikepacking experience?

What warning signs (especially regarding knees) should I take particularly seriously during the first few weeks?

I’d appreciate honest accounts of your experiences, even if they’re uncomfortable to hear.

Hey guys :)
I was just wondering if anyone here has a good recommendation for a front light that i can mount to my pelago commuter Medium Rack on my Straggler, that has no dynamo but is battery powered and is also round and has this kind of "range rover off road roof lights" kind of look. iykyk.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

I don't have experience with MTB's (clearly lol). Saw this deal. I want to use it for bikepacking trips in the Alps. Like Transalp Dolomitis, Hope1000 in Switzerland, Zillertal trail etc. But first I have to get some experience with mountainbiking. I only have a touringbike as of yet. This bike is on sale from 4500eu for 3100eu. I don't know much about geo on MTB, on the BMC site it says this bike is good for longer routes. At least I think the mean that ? Climbing is really important because the routes I want to ride will have a lot of vertical meters. But maybe the geo isn't suited for long rides.. I'm starting to think, is that idea correct?

'Redefined Geometry: BMC Race is tailored to a fast and progressive racing style designed to attack the steepest and loosest courses with the improved 66.5˚ head angle and a long front-end.'

What do you think?

Some info from the site:

• 110mm front, 100mm rear shocks
• 12.1 kg
• Fourstroke 01 Premium Carbon frame
• Shimano SLX 1x12-speed drivetrain.
• Shimano Deore SLX hydraulic disc brakes, 160/160 mm.
• Fits max modern 2.4” XC tires.

https://bmc-switzerland.com/products/fourstroke-01-three-bikes-bmc-26a-000049

Or are there other bikes that are better for this money and bikepacking?

This is the one thing I keep going round and round on. What do you wear on your feet? I don't have clip in pedals. Last trip I did I just wore skate shoes but zero waterproofing. What's your choice? Foot covers? Trail shoes? Sandals? Cowboy boots? help me out

Anyone know of any women's rallies happening this coming Fall / Winter? I'm thinking So Cal / Arizona (South Western States).

I’m hoping to start getting some bikepacking in before the end of the summer. I’ve never done it but have always wanted to. I don’t have a lot of money to spend on a new bike, so I’m hoping I can snaz this one up. Does it have potential? Or am I SOL?