Bikepacking and ultra cycling are a huge amount of fun, and for many people, it’s their holidays, time to reset their minds and escape from the world. A common problem many bikepackers come across is losing their bikepacking passion.
There are times we lose enthusiasm for trips, stop training, and feel a little lost and out of sorts. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, and fixing it can be much easier than you might think. In this article, I’m going to be telling you how to get your bikepacking passion back by discussing:
- What Is Bikepacking Passion?
- My Experience With Bikepacking Passion
- How To Get Your Bikepacking Passion Back
What Is Bikepacking Passion?
Passion means many things, but in the context we are using today, it’s that burning desire to travel further, to see new places, and to embrace yourself in the chaos of living off the bike.
Bikepacking passion drives you to train harder to give more to each ride, and the feeling inside gets you excited to pack your bags and go on an adventure. It’s why you get up on those cold early mornings and hit the roads and trails.
Unfortunately, most bikepackers find times where this goes, and you feel sad, unmotivated, and generally don’t get that buzz from adventures like you normally would. There’s nothing wrong with this, and it happens to many of us.
My Experience With Bikepacking Passion
I have been a bikepacker and ultra-cycling for around a decade. I have done it at a professional level and also as a hobby. I have worked with many huge companies, such as Shimano, and trained people for big adventures.
I struggle at times. I love bicycle adventures, but there are times when I am just not motivated, and although I need the time on the bike, I don’t have the energy to get on it and start opening my mind.
How To Get Your Bikepacking Passion Back
Now for the exciting part. Let’s tell you some ways you get your bikepacking passion back and get you back on your adventures.
Organize A Trip
The first recommendation is to book a trip. I know you might not feel motivated right now, but if you have something to look forward to, that will change that. Think of somewhere you want to go and find a date that works.
Knowing you have something coming up can reignite that spark. It’s also good to commit to something to ensure you get training and find yourself out on the bike often. It doesn’t have to be weeks away, but an overnighter or even a long day could be an ideal way to go.
You might even want to go into a bikepacking race or event. That competitive feeling is a great way to start feeling a little more enthusiastic and also makes you step your game up to ensure anyone in front of you doesn’t have an easy time.
Go Through Past Adventures
Since I started bikepacking, I have always logged my adventure on my social media or YouTube. I just wanted to share what I was doing and inspire others to get on the bike and go crazy.
When I start to feel unpassionate, I go to my videos and pictures and look back on my adventures. It makes me excited to go on more trips. It brings back that passion and love for the trips and makes me remember why I did the crazy stuff.
It’s not a bad idea to write a blog about your adventures afterward or keep a little video diary. It doesn’t have to be shared with others, but if you do, it could turn into a following, and you might make lots of new friends.
Mix It Up
Sometimes, when I start to feel unmotivated, it’s because I get bored of my riding. It’s not making me feel excited, and I’m not challenging myself quite like I was before. The routes are the same, and training becomes monotonous.
In this case, I like to spice it up. I could take a different bike out, such as my MTB, or drive somewhere and start training from a different location, offering new roads and extra challenges.
This just starts to get me excited again. Seeing new things and not knowing what is around each corner just makes me want to adventure more and see what the world has to offer. The same route might not feel boring, but subconsciously, they probably are.
Get Some New Gear
I often get into the habit of using the same kit, going on the same roads, and just everything feeling the same. If I ever want to inspire myself, I often get new gear to keep things a little more interesting.
It might be some new bikepacking bags, a new bike, or even something as simple as new clothing. When I do this, it gets me back on the bike and training again. I feel like because I am investing in equipment for bikepacking trips, I need to use it.
As you might know, the Bikepackist recently started selling budget bikepacking goods. It’s a way of keeping the site running and content coming thick and fast without me going broke, haha. You might find something you like in our all-products section!
Join A Community
If you want some inspiration for bikepacking, you will find it in the bikepacking community. There are so many amazing people who want to see you go on great adventures and maybe even join you on trips.
The best place I have found is Facebook, more than anywhere. The groups are full of nice people who, 98% of the time, have excellent advice. Except for a few know-it-alls, just don’t entertain comments that might come across as rude.
There’s also the option of seeing if there are any local clubs that might organize short bikepacking trips or adventures. Even if you don’t ride with them, it will ignite your passion for bikepacking again.
Attend A Workshop Or Talk
Years ago, I was really struggling with motivation and needed just something to get me feeling passionate again. I came across a friend of mine who was running a talk on bikepacking. His name was Abdullah Zeinab.
I joined an online event he was running, and it was incredibly inspiring. At the end, he even let people ask questions, and I chatted with him about my struggles, and he gave me the answers I needed to be better.
Since then, I have talked myself to cycling groups and hopefully done the same for others. You will find these talks all up and down the country, and hearing about people’s adventures firsthand is amazing!
Consider Taking Some Time Off
Time off?!? That’s wild. Why would anyone do that? Well, take it from a very experienced bikepacker and ultra cyclist that it really helps. I often take a break when I feel unmotivated because I know I might not have a great time out on the bike.
Stepping back for a week to a month gives my body time to recover and makes me realize how much I love bikepacking and ultra cycling. When I return to the bike, I feel stronger and fresher and have newfound confidence in myself.
It’s easy to see rest as the opposite of progress, but often, it’s a big part of making your way through a tough time and even injuries. I rest often, and honestly, it’s only really ever done me favors.
A Final Note
Bikepacking is a lot of fun, but nothing is quite like it. However, it’s important to remember that it is challenging mentally and physically. There’s nothing wrong with losing motivation over time and questioning whether it’s for you.
Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you enjoyed this, we have some amazing others, such as Mental Tips For Bikepacking, 20 Top Bikepacking Tips For Beginners, and How To Train For Bikepacking.