When I first started bikepacking I knew nothing. I had to make so many mistakes to get to where I am, and it was not an easy journey. I have been bikepacking for over a decade, and it has completely changed my life and built me multiple careers, but there’s so much bikepacking advice I wish I had at the start. 

In this article, I want to tell you 10 things that, as a very experienced bikepacker and ultra cyclist, I wish I had known earlier in my career. It would have saved me so much trouble, haha! Many of them you might know already, but the ones you don’t could help you. Let’s go! 

1. Experience Is Everything

You can be the fittest rider and have the best bike, but nothing beats experience. Getting out and bikepacking and learning everything I needed to was much better than being on a turbo trainer at home, looking at my heart rate. 

I always looked for upgrades everywhere through equipment and getting stronger, but what really took me up a level was getting out on adventures, taking myself to places far out of my comfort zone, and learning on the bike. 

I was learning how to minimize time off the bike in a race, to know how to pick an excellent camping spot, and even what to eat and when to eat it. I learned through trial and error, and to this day, I’m glad I did that.

2. Failure Is More Valuable Than Success

I have been on so many bikepacking trips and looking back some went amazing and I absolutely smashed it and others were just disasters. What’s interesting is the fact that the disasters where I ended up coming home early or getting crazy lost taught me more than any successful ride I did. 

The rides I found went well. I came home thinking I was just awesome and was ready for the next challenge. On the rides that went wrong, I came home and reflected and thought of ways I could improve so it didn’t happen again.

I personally think every ride should be reflected on even if you are successful. This means you continually improve no matter what the outcome. It could be something small, like carrying more water, or big, like a new bike. 

3. It’s Not Always Fun

I love bikepacking and ultra cycling, but I have learned it’s not always fun. For you to really value the good days, you have to have some bad ones. You could get stuck in storms, have loads of mechanicals, or even be completely lost.

The key is to understand it isn’t always going to be perfect, and you must get through the tough times to enjoy good ones. Some bikepackers on Instagram paint a picture of it always being perfect when it isn’t and that’s ok. 

4. Preparation Is Key

When it comes to bikepacking and ultra cycling, there’s only a certain amount you can “Wing it” before it catches up with you. You have to learn how to be prepared so you can get the most out of an adventure. 

Ensuring you have all the kit you need, your bike is in good working order, and you have a decent route goes so far. I have made this mistake many times, and it just causes so much hassle when you should be enjoying yourself on the roads or trails. Training helps too, haha!

5. It’s Ok To Be Scared

When I first started bikepacking, everything scared me so much. From riding in other countries, trying strange food, being worried about dogs chasing me, and even thinking that I might get my bike stolen. Looking back, I didn’t need to worry as much as I did, but it’s ok that I did. 

One of my biggest hurdles was riding at night and wild camping. I soon got over riding at night and love it now, but still, wild camping gets under my skin. I would rather go through the night and get a hotel every other night, haha. 

Don’t be worried about being scared. It’s a very natural thing, and in fact, it will keep your body more alert if you are in danger. It’s a natural reaction that sharpens your senses; there’s nothing wrong with it. 

6. Your Bikepacking Community Is Amazing! Use It! 

When I first started bikepacking, I had no interest in being in the bikepacking community. Not for any reason in particular. I just like to be in the moment and work things out myself, which worked for me to an extent. 

Now, I have joined the community, and through the ultra racing and multiple world record rides, I have made many amazing friends. I have realized I should have been there sooner for bikepacking advice. I had so many questions that would have been answered and been able to help others. 

It’s really good to join some Facebook groups or get involved in an organized event. You will make some amazing new friends and learn so much from others. You never know someone might need some bikepacking advice you have. 

7. Invest What You Can In Gear

Now for some really good bikepacking advice! I have always been such a cheapskate when it comes to buying anything, haha! Honestly, I am terrible. You can ask my wife. One thing I have learned especially when it comes to bikepacking gear is if you invest well it lasts. 

I have bought so much cheap crap, and not only does it give an awful experience, but it doesn’t last. We’re talking bikepacking bags, sleeping mats, down jackets, and more. Investing in a well-known brand with good reviews lasts so much longer and saves you in the long term.

I can only say this isn’t the same for bikepacking bikes. You can go bikepacking on some really basic bikes, and they will be fine. My first few trips were on a second-hand Carerra road bike, and that never let me down. It wasn’t fast, but it worked great. I regret selling it now. 

8. If It Doesn’t Work For You, Don’t Use It!

In my time bikepacking and ultra cycling, I have tried to make things work that sometimes are a lost cause. Just because they work for others doesn’t mean they will work for you. Doing this wastes a lot of time.

A good example for me is clothing. I hate tight clothing like jerseys, and no matter how much I would like to be more aerodynamic and look cool, I hate wearing them. The majority of my trips now are done in MTB jerseys or T-shirts. I like them so much more, and for me, they’re much better. 

The same goes for many things. For example, many people don’t like self-service cup and cone bearings because they can be hard to use. I absolutely love them now that I know how to use them, and I find other press bearings much harder to work.

9. Going Extreme Isn’t Always Good Bikepacking

If you want to go extreme and clock up silly miles against others, ultra race. I absolutely love ultra cycling, and it’s something that brings out something very special in me. I feel I can completely separate myself from everything in a race. 

Bikepacking doesn’t have to be like that. For years I made it extreme to try and impress others who might be following me, and it just made my trips suck. I now draw a very fine line between a bikepacking trip, which is more like a holiday for me, and an ultra race, which is my extreme side. 

There’s something very special about a bikepacking trip where you are not racing from campsite to campsite. When you can forget time and ride because it’s fun, that’s when you will make the best memories. 

10. Creating Routines Is Very Valuable

When it came to bikepacking, I was terrible at staying organized and to help deal with that I started making routines. These have helped me so much over the years to become really efficient and enjoy the experience much more. 

I have routines about when to eat and drink, when to apply sun cream, when to clean my teeth, and even the order in which I pack my bags and where I keep my kit. These routines keep me organized, and although I seem particular at times, they work.

It means I can switch my brain off when on an adventure, and my body just automatically does things without me having to put much thought into it. A lot of this comes with experience, but you would be surprised at how effective you become with routine. 

Think about how you have certain patterns in daily life, such as waking up at a certain time, then getting ready in a certain order, and even when you leave for work. Applying routines seems to add a lot of structure to the madness of being on the road. 

A Final Note: Bikepacking Advice

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. Please feel free to tell me some of your thoughts in the comments below and share any bikepacking advice, and if you found it, help subscribe to the site and give the article a like! Stay cool!