Bikepacking is a form of cycling that combines elements of cycle touring and backpacking.
It is an outdoor activity that consists of travelling by bicycle, carrying the necessary equipment to camp and live independently during the trip.
Unlike traditional cycle touring, which often uses rigid panniers mounted on luggage racks, bikepacking favours the use of lighter, more compact panniers that attach directly to the bicycle frame, handlebars and seatpost.
Main characteristics of bikepacking
- Lightness and compactness: The panniers used in bikepacking are designed to be light and not excessively affect the manoeuvrability of the bike. This makes it possible to travel over more varied and technical terrain, such as mountain trails or dirt roads.
- Autonomy: Bikepacking allows you to travel independently, carrying everything you need to sleep, cook and survive in the wilderness. This includes ultralight tents, sleeping bags, camp cookers and food.
- Flexibility: Unlike traditional cycle touring, bikepacking allows greater flexibility in the choice of routes. The bikes used are often mountain bikes or gravel bikes, capable of tackling a variety of terrains, from dirt tracks to asphalt roads.
- Minimalism: As space is limited, bikepacking encourages a minimalist approach, carrying only the essentials for the trip.
Typical bikepacking equipment:
- Handlebar bags: Ideal for carrying light and bulky items such as sleeping bags or tents.
- Frame bags: Positioned inside the triangle of the bike frame, perfect for tools, food and heavy items.
- Saddle bags: Mounted behind the seatpost, often used for clothes and camping equipment.
- Additional panniers: Small panniers can be attached to the top tube, down tube or seat post to increase load capacity.
Advantages of bikepacking:
- Increased mobility: Allows you to ride on roads and trails where bikes with panniers might have difficulty.
- More intimate experience with nature: Offers the possibility of camping in remote and little-visited places.
- Versatility of routes: Allows you to explore a wide range of environments, from mountain trails to long traverses on dirt roads.
Bikepacking is therefore a mode of travel that combines adventure, sustainability and a deep contact with the natural environment, ideal for those seeking a more dynamic and less structured travel experience than traditional cycle touring.
