TR AVE L
The right gear is the gear you already have. The right bike is the bike you already have.
EDDIE CLARK
Alexandera Houchin
A GUIDE TO T BIKEPACKING Exploration and adventure on two wheels BY ALEXANDERA HOUCHIN – Ultra-endurance bike rider and racer, bike mechanic from the Fond du Lac Nation of Lake Superior Ojibwe
56 Outdoor Summer 2021
he concept of bikepacking has been around for as long as people have been riding bikes, but the term is quickly becoming more popular. Bikepacking is, essentially, strapping everything you need to spend the night (or multiple nights) outside, onto your bicycle. It’s the perfect hybrid between bike touring and backpacking. It combines some of the simplicity of hiking with the thrill of mountain biking. Maybe you’ve heard of the term, maybe you’ve even gone so far as to think about giving a try for yourself or your family. Anyone with a capable bike can head out for a bikepacking adventure of their own. The beautiful thing about bikepacking is that no two bikes are the same. Everyone has their own unique way of carrying gear on their bicycles; there is no one right way to do it. Some people use racks, some use bags specifically made to strap onto one’s bike, and others use dry bags and Voile straps to cinch everything onto their bike.
BE PREPARED You should also have the proper gear to keep you safe in the variety of conditions that always seem to present during a bike adventure. It’s crucial to know how the climate changes where you are traveling. In lower elevation areas, it’s unlikely that a temperature change of 15 C will occur in a matter of hours, but it’s best to be prepared regardless. I recommend bringing several layers, an insulated down coat and a rain jacket. Gloves and extra socks have been a highlight on past cooler trips. There are several different types of shelters to use on a bikepacking trip. Minimal tents pack down well, especially if you can share the load with another person. Some people use bivy sacks, essentially a dry, waterproof tube you shimmy your sleeping bag into. Others use hammocks and a tarp. There are so many options.
IMPACT Magazine