Which is better Cycle Touring or Bikepacking?!

Which is better Cycle Touring or Bikepacking?!

Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Cycle Touring & Bikepacking [Ep2]

In this episode I cover
- What is Cycle Touring?
- What is bikepacking?
- When you should Cycle tour vs When you should Bikepack
- Who can travel by bike
- Talk you through some of bike travels biggest myths

I have created this series because I’ve cycled over 35,000km globally but I still don't consider myself an expert. I still google and search for information and I don't feel like theres one resource for cycle tourers and bikepackers to use.

So if you're a total beginner to travelling by bike or whether you've dipped your toes into bike travel before this series is for you! I am aiming to release a video in the series every few weeks so that come summertime you'll be ready for that first bike trip.

Follow the journey:

#cycletouring #bikepacking #cycletouringtips #bikepackingtips

[tjmcdonald]

The biggest lesson I learned was that while I love bike travel, I don't want to be away from home on an epic months long trip. I decided to stop a one shot cross US trip into three week stages as well as shorter trips near home. At first I was down on myself because I'd watched a ton of world traveler videos and thought the epic was the only way. I had started to ride just to put on miles. The way I am touring now I am more fully present on road. Travel the way that works for you.

[GravelGrandma]

I've just completed my first solo foreign tour - 3 days in Spain with the worst floods in years. It was a challenge but so liberating. You are so right when you say biking packing solo frees your spirit.

[Ekirea]

You're a good ambassador for cycling in any form, salut to that!

[davejack]

Well done and kudos for deflating the argument of bikepacking vs bike touring. I think you are right: bike travel is about moving and enjoying the experience, not what your bags look like.

[mikekilburn]

This is the exact answer to everone. Well done. No stupid sponsor wordy crap just plain common sense. ❤

[Mike-vdqt]

Excellent advice for new cycle tourists. I started bike touring in 1982. Now I'm 72, and biked across the U.S. twice and once across EU since retiring. Bikepacked half of the GDMBR a few years ago, going to try again this summer at a slow easy pace. Don't plan too much ahead is your best advice. Pick your route, look at your maps, and loosely plan your first couple of days. If you set goals of reaching a town three days away it becomes stressful. Relax into the ride and you will develop a rhythm to your bike tour.

[pamelawatsontravel]

Lovely video. I’m equally passionate about cycle touring being freeing…and that you make the rules! That’s why solo cycling travel is so wonderful for independent females doing it their way at their pace! I like your description of bike packing v bike touring…I’d only add that in my experience a bike touring set up does not have to include front panniers and without them a rear pannier laden bike with off road tyres becomes equally manoeuvrable on gravel, mud, potholed surfaces and sand. Yay for bike travel and adventures!! 🎉

[ridebybike]

Over 50 and had my first tour in 2023 about 1000k in 14 days from Germany to Italy. Stayed in hotels. This year, first time camping. My bike: an old MTB -> now a tourbike with low budget. Still modifications to do. And every week the bike get better and better. Go out, do it. Never had better experience.

[Life_reset_]

I just came back from my first week long bicycle trip on my old 26" mountain bike! I owe you a big thanks for the inspiration you gave me when we met a couple of times in Peru🤙 Something stuck with the more simple way of traveling than with my motorcycle. Paperwork, shipping etc. And as a bonus, I get to eat anything and still be in great shape😝

[PrepperStateofMind]

Great advice. I first toured as a young teen on a Schwinn Continental ten speed from one state to another. I was 14. Rode 45 miles one way, crossed a bridge with cars (no sidewalk). That was in 1982. I was 14. Now, I’m just getting back into commuting to work by bike and soon touring. Thanks for the video

[fuzzi]

At the end of April I start my 7 week solo tour through Spain. As you said, I've roughly planned the route, the rest on the spot...
By the way, I do bike touring...it is also possible on gravel roads and easy off-road routes... Freedom is calling😊🚴

[davex]

One big difference for me is that panniers are much easier to load and unload at the beginning or end of the day. However, if you are staying in hotels then you don’t have to remove you bags so it doesn’t matter.

[danielprince]

Always worth remembering, most bikes can do most things you'd do on a bike.

[notjunkfood]

I’m so very happy I found your content i’ve been casually cycling for about 12 years and have a good amount of backpacking experience / gear but was totally clueless on how to rig up my cyclocross bike. Thank you!❤

[brentmichael]

I want to let you know how much I appreciate this video. You kept it simple and helped me realize I already have everything I need to get out there and make it happen. So from your new subscriber in a little farm town in Illinois I want to say Thank you!!!

[jimpannell]

What a great intro to the idea of getting out on bike adventures! Loving this.

[ssusggus]

Awesome video!
This video will help allot of people. Loved the myth parts, one thing that holds me back is going alone, hopefully go one day.

[redbagsrambler]

Excellent video. As a long time bicycle traveler myself, I echo your statements about how much bicycle travel has opened my life to many fascinating experiences and meeting so many unique and interesting people and cultures. That said, I am strictly a road traveler. My principle has always been roads are for wheels and trails are for boots.

[Takemehome-]

The most important thing I found out for myself is to have easy access to the things you need often. The amazing thing when you’re on the road is that you usually realise you need a lot less than you brought with you. Enjoy the adventure

[vincewalker]

Very positive and thanks 🙏 for your enthusiasm and absolute can do attitude . Vince