6 Tips For Your First Bikepacking Trip

The following companies (that you'll see in my content) support me either financially or with free stuff, so huge thanks to these guys for helping the channel thrive:
Attacus Cycling,
SCOTT,
MET Helmets,
Shimano,
fidlock,
Hutchinson Tyres
Sungod
Tailfin
GT85
Garmin
Parcours Wheels

#cycling #bikes #bicycle

[frazergoodwin]

One thing to take along with you - flexibility. Perhaps there's road works and you can't go where you'd planned, a bridge is out and the diversion is lengthy, or even a ferry isn't running and the diversion is even longer (all happened to me in the past). How you react and deal with this without getting stressed, nervous or panicked will need a flexible mind set. Got to take this along with you!

[stefaanverschelde]

A friend and me are cycling from Ghent to Strasbourg in 7 days starting in about a month, we both got Tailfins from watching your videos and are more then excited to try them out on this trip! We did book every hotel in advance since this is our first proper trip and didn't want to stress out too much and just enjoy the ride, but we did get cancellation insurance on every booking if things go wrong. thanks for the tips ! :)

[fotografamos]

Regarding cancelling your hotel booking last-minute, there's a hack: usually hotels let you reschedule your stay for free, so you can just call them to postpone to a few days later. And THEN you cancel it.

[davidscholefield]

"Remember to enjoy it" is such good advice. I tend to stress about every last detail to the point that I don't think I take in the fun of it all - just relaxing into the ride would make all the difference. Nice video :)

[samradcliff]

Remaining flexible is something I learnt last year me and my sister did Lands End to John O’Groats but had all the accommodation pre booked(this was largely due to the fact that in many of the places we were staying there was limited availability for a good price) however this did become a bit of a problem by the time we got to northern England we desperately needed a rest day but were unable to take one as we had accommodation to get to alongside being struck with some terrible weather especially for the summer it made it unnecessarily tough. We managed to complete the trip anyway but we definitely could have enjoyed it a bit more as cycling through Yorkshire is actually pretty beautiful but we were too shattered to really care.

[Csapi]

Such good advices, not just the usual boring stuff!

[crush]

WOOOW what a fun ride : )
I did SF to LA in 2014 and I'm doing it again in May
100% had too much in the back

[andrewwcoyle]

Did Vancouver to San Diego in 1985, we ate a lot! Maybe return one day, but there's so much to see in Europe.

[kazaroth]

How do you know which hotels will accommodate bikes / allow you to take the bikes to the rooms?

[MegaToddski]

If it is going to be cold thermal cycling tights. These can be worn under lightweight nylon track bottoms off the bike too.

[arcoulant]

Wear mtb shoes (spd ) easy to walk around off the bike and always have a 2nd breakfast.

[erics]

1. Always be eating - Pay attention to nutrition, eat some fruits and vegs, one cannot live on bars and gels.
2. Don't book everything - Not sure how you would even do this. It would make for a hectic, micro-scheduled ride. Usually a day in advance is good enough.
3. Avoid over packing. - Great advice. But make sure you have some rain and warmth gear most places. Nothing is worse than being cold and wet.
4. Keep space free. - Especially if you're camping, you'll need space for carrying a day or two of food. Not a bad idea any time. Shops and restaurants may be closed when you get there.
5. Shower kit wash and dry. - Works pretty well. On longer trips, a proper clothes wash will keep your kit from getting too skanky (sour smelling).
6. Remember to enjoy it. - Goes without saying.

[jimsmith]

Depending on your body’s condition and conditioning, you don’t always need to be eating, but definitely fuel up in between your rides. I rode 100 miles during the last 7 hrs of an 18 hour fast. Note: At at time I had plenty of fat stores. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re already running lean on body fat

[TheTavelingCat]

@4:46 regarding packing.
I would suggest to pack accordingly...
What I mean by that is...
Pack for all types of weather: wet, cold, hot, and windy.
This requires all types of clothing.
Also... It depends on how long your tour is!
You don't want to skimp on clothing and multiple pairs of clothing if you are going on a long-term tour.
Be comfortable, you don't want to feel like you only have the bare minimum of change of clothes. That can be draining mentally as well as physically.

The trade off is... your daily mileage and average speed will naturally decrease.
Agree with yourself that this is OK. Its about the journey not the destination.
So you don't travel as many miles as you want or thought. So what!
What's a extra couple of days or a week.

Your stress level will go way down and your enjoyment will go way up once you agree to travel slower and easier.

Im not saying to take the kitchen sink with you, but just get over being a weight-weenie and barely carrying anything.
This is a individual coming to what's right for you.
Comfortably vs lightweight.
Each person needs to find that personal balance.

[ianmarkham]

If you are staying in hotels, don't bother with any personal hygiene products. Toothbrush and toothpaste is all you need. After you've washed your kit and yourself on arrival, you'll be clean. You get your food, eat and then go to sleep for X hours. You won't need deodrant. And even if you do smell, you won't see these people again.
Also the tiny tubes of toothpaste you get on flights will actually give you enough for 4 times cleaning, so great for weekend trips.

[willalm]

For me its dont overload all that stuff you have to carry up each and every hill, think long and hard as to what is needed, you can end up pulling a caravan and what should be fun just endurance

[larisonjohnson]

Keep those blown out tubes, you just might be able to use a “McTuberson “ at some point. Sunscreen and spare batteries for the tech.

[kurt]

When you get a room, sink/shower wash your socks, shorts etc. before dinner so they're dry by morning ..unless you don't mind damp chamois.

[SolarizeYourLife]

Move the water bottles and put in a body/frame bag!!!

[johnwhite]

Tip number one is tip number one. If you don't, you won't make it. I learned the hard way.