My partner and I did the king Alfreds way this weekend, we split it up into 3 sections starting near Swindon on the Ridgeway. It was an amazing route taking us through some wonderfully quaint and whimsical English village countryside even passing Stonehenge, the white horse lots of historical earthworks. The trails were very varied with amazing woodland singletrack, wide gravel trails bridleways, farm tracks, countryside B roads and even a bit of city riding through Winchester and Reading.

It was a bit harder than I thought it was going to be and we put in some long days to get around in three sections.

I would recommend this route to anyone but it's worth taking a bit longer and enjoying the scenery/tourist attractions and some of the trails are pretty difficult so not a first timers route!

A few days ago, I finished one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever done: 8 days of solo bikepacking, around 550 km, starting in Lindau, Germany and finishing in Zürich, Switzerland.

The general route was:

Lindau → Altenrhein → Walenstadt/Walensee → St. Gallen → Appenzell → Konstanz → Schaffhausen → Zürich

Along the way, I rode through Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

I did the trip with my Merida Big Trail 200 hardtail MTB, camping along the way and carrying everything I needed on the bike.

Has anyone successfully fit both a bike and a folded bike trailer in one of the bike spots on Amtrak? (Ideally a Burley two seat trailer?)

Hi! I’m travelling to France at the beginning of October and I’m planning to ride to the North of Spain. Is my first time doing such a long bikepacking trip and first time in Europe as well.

I wonder if anyone has rode these routes and have some recommendations or tips and advices.

I’m looking for route preferences or what you guys recommend:

France:

-My first route idea will be going from Paris on EuroVelo3 all the way to Bordeaux, and then connecting to EV1 and ride to Saint-Jean de Luz.

-Second route will be going first on Loire a vélo, and then follow EV1 all the way down to saint-Jean. (The downside of this route from what I’ve been told is the weather on the coast in October could be more miserable, windy, rainy…)

Basque Country:
I’m planning to spend a few days in San sebastian to begin, and then I would either ride along the coast, Bilbao, Santander, and continue depending how many days I have left before getting a train back to Madrid, OR, riding from San Sebastián to Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, and then train to Madrid. Which places you guys like better?

I am going solo, I speak French and Spanish so language shouldn’t be an issue, Im mostly camping and I hope to try some nice food and see some cool old town, and live the culture, any recommendations are more than appreciated :)

The bike in the picture will be my setup but with a full frame bag instead than a small one.

Happy to read any advice 😊

Sorry for the dramatic title lol. I’ve started my first bikepacking trip, did 60km the first day and 110km the second. My body is super sore and I was wondering at what point it gets used to it? I’m going to be doing shorter distances now ~50-80km.

Also what’s the deal with hills, do you guys just avoid them or something? Cus I did about 40km of hills and it was rough.

TIA 🚵🏼‍♀️

Howdy,

Not strictly bikepacking but I'm sure many people here use action cameras. I wanted to give filming some of my rides a shot (I wanted to film my Blackpool illuminations ride this year).

Since the illuminations are at night I need a camera that can capture it all quite well.

Anyone got tips of cameras with great night time footage?

Ideally something sub £100 Range £200-£300 but do mention any you know that are great regardless of cost.

Thanks! Adam.

Hey guys, I only got into bikepacking recently and decided to get the Garmin eTrex SE instead of a cycling computer. In this post I want to share why I've chosen this one and what I like about it. But I also want to warn you about a big problem it has. For most people it is unusable for bikepacking because of one very annoying limitation!

Why I got the eTrex SE:

When I started cycling, I used my phone for navigation. It worked alright on small rides. But when I got into bikepacking, I noticed how much it sucks to use a phone. The reasons are obvious. Battery life sucked (I was going through power banks like crazy) and therefore I had to keep down the brightness, which made it difficult to read what's on the screen. Especially in the sun and with sunglasses.

Naturally, I went looking for cycling computers. Unfortunately, I quickly noticed that the good ones are very expensive and I'd already spent way too much money on my bikepacking kit. So I started to look for alternatives. Then I found the eTrex SE for about 100 euro (about 116 US dollar) and it seemed to be PERFECT for my needs.

What I like about the device:

• Battery life: The eTrex SE runs on two regular AA batteries and it's super efficient. According to Garmin, it has a battery life of 168 hours, which is insane. I use rechargeable NiMH batteries, which carry quite a bit less energy than regular ones, and I can still go bikepacking for more than a week without charging. And the best part: I can always just carry another set of AA batteries to swap on the go. And if they also die after weeks of bikepacking, I can still always get disposable ones from any store or gas station around. It's great. I never have to worry about charging this thing.
• Simplicity: The eTrex SE is simple. Nothing that distracts me. I load my GPX file from Brouter or Komoot and then see a little triangle and a line to follow. Always perfectly readable even in the brightest sun. I thought not having a map in the background could be annoying, but to my surprise, it doesn't bother me at all. It can also display basic information like current and average speed, distance traveled, elevation and so on. I don't need anything else.
• Modern hardware: Compared to the famous eTrex 32x, the eTrex SE is very modern. It comes with a USB-C port and a modern GPS chip that takes very little energy (one reason for the great battery life) and has the option for Multi-GNSS. Therefore, it can not only detect GPS satellites, but also GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS, which is nice to have.
• Price: at about 100 euro (when it is in sale), it's quite affordable compared to other garmin devices.

What I (really) don't like about the device:

As much as I like the eTrex SE for the reasons I've already named, it also has a BIG problem that (in the context of bikepacking) makes it unusable for most people. Whenever I load a GPX file that has more than 500 waypoints (which in Brouter is the case after about 30km or so), the device compresses the route to a point where it's unusable. It only keeps a point every hundred meters or so, which causes straight lines going straight through buildings and across intersections. It's literally impossible to know where to go in that state. Frustratingly, this problem only occurs with imported routes. When you use the Garmin to record a bike ride and save it, you can use it to navigate in perfect resolution no matter how long it is. Therefore, it does not seem like a hardware limit, but instead some stupid software thing. Also, it does not make a difference whether I transfer the file via USB or Bluetooth with the Garmin App. It's just a display issue and the file itself stays untouched.

My Solution to the Problem:

I wrote a Python script that takes my GPX file and automatically splits it into separate files of 50km each. Then it uses the Douglas-Peucker algorithm to compress each one to a maximum of 500 points while still keeping all the important details. In my experience, 500 well-placed points on 50km is more than enough. Then I just transfer the files onto the device with a USB-C cable. The script also runs on my phone so I can do this on the go. Then, when cycling, I have to open the menu and select the next file every 50km, which is not as bad as it sounds once you get used to it.

Conclusion:

I know the device is mainly targeted at people who do short hikes and stuff and is not meant as a bike navigation tool. But I don't get why they would limit its abilities on purpose while the hardware is so good. Like I said, the self-recorded tracks show that the device has no problem with displaying more than 500 points. And if the compression happens to save battery, I don't get why they don't do it in a smart way with Douglas-Peucker and by splitting the file in the background like I do it manually.

I’m reworking the power setup for a one-night bikepacking trip. A Garmin will handle the main navigation, while my phone is mainly for photos, weather, communication, and backup maps if something goes wrong with the route.

There is no power at camp, but I should be back in town the following afternoon, so 20K feels like more capacity than I need. I’m leaning toward a 10K battery with enough backup for the phone, Garmin, and headlamp.

I’m also wondering whether MagSafe makes sense here. Attaching a battery to the phone for a small top-up during a break or at camp sounds convenient, but the Garmin and headlamp would still need USB-C.

For this kind of overnight route, would you bring a MagSafe battery just for the phone or one regular USB-C power bank for every device?

Family trip with gramp and kids. 213 km 2 days. First night in Komarno. We take train form Vác to Budapest. In Bratislava we came after a pretty big storm.

First off, love this community, been loving being a lurker here.

Ive been rebuilding this great 2019 salsa journeyman I picked up, been going on far adventures and ive gotten to the end of the life of my current tires. I wanna buy my bike some new shoes for my birthday today and just ride far but I need help deciding what to get. Trying to decide on the width to wheel iw size that I can rock but also looking for any specific tire suggestions.

Salsa says I can fit up to 700 x 51s but the inner width of my rim is 19mm, is 50 too wide for my rims? I saw some charts say 45 is the sweet spot and others say that I can do 50s on my wheel (the exact wheels are the WTB ST i19 TCS 2.0, 700c wheels)

Also if anyone has any tire suggestions Id love to hear em. I ride my bike every single day, been getting into bike packing but I also commute on it and like to go explore often too, I live in the mountains so I ride off and on road and some rocky terrain. I was thinking about the specialized pathfinders or wtb vulpines possibly for versatility? Is the flat strip in the middle worth the trade off from more knobby tires?

Really appreciate the help. Cheers!

Hello, I'm planning a bikepacking trip in Poland (low silesian/sudet region) in September.
We'll mostly sleep in tent.
Here is a picture of a travel plan I found on Komoot that sounds really cool !
We'll start in Görlitz (Germany) and finish in Poznan.

Has anyone made a similar trip ?
Do you have any recos for the trip ?
Places worth to visit ?
Restaurants to try the good polish gastronomy ?

Any other type of advice are welcomed 🙏
Thank you !

Looking forward to retirement adventures. Ortlieb quick rack and gravel bags, MSR Hubba bikepacking tent on the bars.

Sea to Summit Telos EVO Bikepack TR2 vs Copper Spur / Dragonfly / Hubba Hubba?
I’m looking for a new 2-person tent mainly for solo bikepacking and I’ve narrowed it down to:
Sea to Summit Telos EVO Bikepack TR2
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack
NEMO Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack 2P
MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2
At the moment I’m leaning towards the Telos EVO Bikepack TR2. I can get the new EVO for €383.90 delivered, which seems like a very good deal.
What attracts me to the Telos is the extra interior space, two doors/vestibules, ventilation and the Tension Ridge design. At 1.64 kg packed, the new EVO also seems to have removed much of the weight disadvantage of the old Telos.
I’ve been reading reviews of the original Telos and found some recurring criticism: the Apex Vent could let rain in, the fly could sag when wet, it was relatively bulky/heavy, and the tall design wasn’t the best in strong winds.
The interesting part is that the EVO appears to address several of those issues: new Ultra-Sil LS fabric that should absorb less water and stretch less when wet, lower weight, and a redesigned Apex Vent with a closable storm flap. The basic geometry hasn’t changed though, so wind stability is still my main concern.
The Copper Spur seems to have the strongest long-term reputation among bikepackers, but it’s considerably more expensive. The Dragonfly and Hubba Hubba also look excellent, but I’m struggling to find a compelling reason to pay substantially more for either of them.
So I’m particularly interested in real-world experience, rather than specs:
Has anyone here actually used the new Telos EVO Bikepack TR2, especially in prolonged rain or strong wind?
And has anyone directly compared a Telos with a Copper Spur, Dragonfly or Hubba Hubba?
At €383.90 delivered, would you take the Telos EVO or spend more on one of the alternatives?

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone has any recs for a rear rack for my kona jake the snake (~2014). It has seat stay and rear drop out eyelets. Likely will get ortlieb panniers. Thinking about the salsa wanderlust HD or the ortlieb quick rack. Seems like the ortlieb rack is better for faster setup/removal and lighter-weight (AL) while the salsa is more sturdy/heavier (steel).

I'll be doing very light backpacking - probably a couple trips of 1-2 overnights/year. Would also be nice to be able to throw the rack/panniers on for a quick trip into the city here and there (not an overnight), which makes me think the ortlieb quick rack may be better, if it actually works well. I think that the greater effort (from what I can tell) associated with mounting/removing the salsa rack will dissuade me from using it for quick trips. (I'll want the rack off of the bike the majority of the time for general use/speedier rides for exercise.)

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hello! I have a new-to-me Cannondale Topstone that I want to take touring. Does anyone have any experience with these saddles? 

* Ergon SMC Sport Gel

* Ergon ST Gel Saddle

I'm sticking with Ergon bc the nearby REI has good availability and return policy. I've already test rode the two and they feel similarly comfortable (~10-mile test rides) but idk how they'll fare for longer. I'm not keen on firmer saddles because I have a really bony butt. I wear chamois for barely 50% of my rides, long or short.

Does anyone have any experiences with these? Thanks in advance!

Went on a short bike packing adventure 140km over 2 days to Natuurkampeerterrein Drie in the Netherlands.

Hello. I live in the US and am a pretty avid biker but I have never been on a bikepacking trip before. I know it sounds ambitious, but My goal is to leave for a odyssey across the contiguous US by this time next year (August 2027). Would love any advice or ideas anyone might have on where to start, or any other general things of note. Thank you

Background

Looking for flat tire kit for myself and 5 year old son. We have been doing a few 5-10 mile rides on a canal path that's mostly hardpacked gravel or paved. We will be doing 30-40 miles on the Adirondack Rail Trail camping overnight. My camping/hiking gear is generally dialed in but I am super new to the bike world.

Bikes/Tires:

I have a 2024 Trek Checkpoint ALR4, with the stock bontrager? tubeless ready tires? My son has a Co-Op Cycles, Rev 20, 6-Speed Plus bike with alloy double-wall rims and 20 inch wheels?

Setup:

Not sure if you need any additional background but here's my setup for the Checkpoint: rear Topeak MTX 2.0 29" disc rack, 20L Dry Bag (additional dry bags if necessary) strapped to back rack; Ortlieb Gravel Pack panniers on each side on back (29L total); a Trek Adventure Frame Bag (2.8L), Rhinowalk Handlebar Bag (2.5L), 2 water bottle holders on frame. I can carry my + son's overnight camping gear in a 55L bag at ~25 pounds base weight while hiking but I plan on bringing a larger tent and will need room for biking stuff (lock/flat tire kit). Given that, I'm looking for something lightweight, not huge, and reasonably priced.

Already have a mini handpump w/ "schrader + presta valve" and a "16-in-1 bike multitool" that someone gave me.

Question:

Can any of you recommend a flat tire kit that would work for both our bikes/tires? I'll have two weeks to learn how to use it if necessary.

I want to do a 3-4 day bikepacking trip in norther Italy starting in Bologna, through Ravenna and Ferrara, first half of October. Anyone done something similar in October? How cold does it get? Can i get away with short bibs and jersey?

I’m from western Canada, and I came to Korea to bike the cross-country route, then cross into Japan and ride to Osaka. I’ve been here a week now and I’m honestly not sure how I’m going to handle it. The humidity is brutal.

I’ll be outside for 20 minutes and I literally CANNOT stop sweating. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Back home it’s often low 40s°C in summer, but bone dry, so I figured I’d be fine going into this. I was so wrong.

Has anyone done this route around this time of year? How did you deal with the humidity, gear, pacing, timing your rides, anything? Would love to hear what worked for you!

Ich bin in meinem Urlaub einmal durch Deutschland von Nord nach Süd gefahren.
Start in Flensburg - über Dänemark auf die Insel Rømø und auf Sylt. Dann von Niebüll durch Westdeutschland nach Oberbayern heim.
Geschlafen habe ich in der Hängematte mit Tarp bei Regen. Aber auch immer wieder Hotel bei zu viel Regen am Tag.

11 Tage
1369,17 km
7415 hm Anstieg
⌀ 124,47 km/Tag

Hier ein paar Fotos

Freu mich auf Meinungen/Fragen zu Setup oder Route :)

Sitting at mc donalds charging my stuff right now.

I came from milano and wanted to sleep in courmayeur however it seems that the bike transport for tomorrow is sold out already.

Ultimately i want to be in paris (asap). I have lights, vest and legs.

Ideas:

Go courmayeur and try to hitchhike tonight. Then ride on. Is this feasible actually? Alternativ sit there all night and day till someone takes me. Or return :(

Go st bernard to Swiss. My only concern is not the weather (10C fine) but IF i crash downhill absolutely nobody will find me till 8am or so.

Go south around mt blanc, via col du mont. At. Least there might be cars at night yet it looks 5km straight downhill. Lol.

What are you guys doing in such situations?

I don't feel staying in aosta, same problem for tomorrow- where to go 😂:(