Bikepacking is a combination of cycling and adventure: sleeping outside, exploring breathtaking scenery and reaching places inaccessible by car. If you are here, you are probably just entering the world of bikepacking for the first time and are looking for reliable advice on how to best organize your first bike trip.Congratulations, you’ve come to the right place because here on the Bike Adventure Series, there are over 10,000 registered bikepacking travel enthusiasts. Planning a bikepacking trip is easier than it sounds if you follow the right steps so now sit back and take note of the following tips we have prepared for you.
1. Preparation and Planning
Focus on simplicity: you don’t need expensive equipment to get started. If you have a bike, you are already halfway there. Select a nearby destination for your first trip, possibly reachable in a weekend. If possible, choose recommended bike routes, so it will be easier to find information and organize your trip and you will be sure to meet other travelers along the way. Use a navigation and route-planning app to plan your route and break it down into daily stages.
2. Essential Equipment
Less is more: focus on what is essential.
Bags are necessary to carry everything you need. You can choose between the bikepacking set up, which is lighter and more aerodynamic, or the classic set up with panniers attached to the rack.
If you plan to spend the night camping outside remember to bring along a lightweight tent or hammock, a sleeping pad, a pillow and a sleeping bag (heavy or light depending on the climate) and you’re done. Don’t forget water, energy snacks, a bike repair kit and a first aid kit.
Remember: your goal is to travel light.
3. Test the Equipment
Give it a try: before you leave, take a short test ride with all your equipment; a 20-35 km trip will be enough.
This test will help you adjust the load and get familiar with the additional weight on the bike and it is also an opportunity to test your bag and camping gear. If you have bought a new tent for the trip, try setting it up before you leave to make sure it works best and is easy to set up and take down.
4. Choose Your Adventure
Dream big, but start with a realistic goal: for your first trip, consider sleeping in an accommodation such as a b&b or hostel instead of camping. This will reduce the load you have to carry and allow you to focus on pedaling and exploring. Choose a place that inspires you and can provide an enjoyable experience without stress.
The Bike Adventure Series was created precisely with the goal of offering different types of events, suitable for all sort of travelers, in the most incredible places in Italy and Europe. What all these events have in common is the purpose: to make you experience an unforgettable bikepacking adventure. The experience gained over more than ten years in the field of cycling events has enabled us to build different proposals, for all tastes, all you have to do is choose the one that suits you best.
The Grand Escape is just perfect if you can’t wait to ride on the most beautiful bike paths Europe has to offer. Routes away from busy roads that will make your cycling safe and peaceful. You will ride in the hearth of Slovenia, Austria, Germany and Tuscany traveling routes with little elevation gain, accessible yet exciting for cyclists of all levels.
If you dream of participating in the world’s largest bikepacking event and cycling the white roads of Tuscany with thousands of travelers like you, the Tuscany Trail is the event you can’t miss. You’ll ride along the famous White Roads, through vineyards, dense forests, and past ancient historic centers.
Unpaved Roads Weekends are the best choice if you want to start with a shorter adventure and immerse yourself in Italy’s food culture, arts, and sights. You will meet a community of gravel enthusiasts and spend two days riding in breathtaking scenery , in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere made possible by our “no race” approach.
If you’re ready for the life-changing journey, it’s time to sign up for the North Cape 4000. We are talking about the most participated ultracycling bike adventure in the world, an extraordinary route that crosses Europe for 4000 km, through 7 Nations and formidable natural wonders.
Bikepacking doesn’t have to be complicated or require expensive equipment. With a simple approach and a good dose of enthusiasm, your first trip will be just the beginning of a long series of adventures on two wheels.
5. Enjoy the Journey
Create memories: bikepacking is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Take the time to enjoy the sights, take pictures, and maybe write a travel journal. It doesn’t matter if you don’t travel long distances; what matters is the experience and the memories you will create. Discover the places you’ll find along the way, stop and chat with the locals, and take your time to taste the traditional food, these are the memories you’ll take home with you.
If you want to experience the adventure of bikepacking without having to worry about route planning, you should consider attending non-race cycling events.
By joining the Bike Adventure Series events you will have the chance to experience an incredible adventure, riding on routes created by a team of experts with decades of experience.
Whether it’s exploring Tuscany by joining the world’s largest bikepacking event, discovering the wonders of Slovenia on paved road, or spending a weekend pedaling Italy’s most beautiful unpaved roads, adventure is waiting for you.
Where do you want to ride next?
Next events:
Tuscany: the best place in the world for a bikepacking trip on paved roads
Ride in the best secondary roads and experience the authentic Tuscany experience like no other. Check out all the info and the event guide:
On gravel through the most beautiful forest of Italy
Prepare for one of Italy’s most fascinating gravel experiences in the Casentinesi Forests. Ride through pristine nature, ending with the “Sagra del tortello alla lastra” in Santa Sofia. “No race” event on September 21-22, registration opens on July 15.