Bike-packing 101 - What's the Ideal Way to Pack for Your Trip
There’s a different rush you get when you’re embarking on an adventure outdoors. The fresh air and the sound of nature contribute to the fun experience you wouldn’t get anywhere else.
People who are fond of going on adventurous trips tend to like bikepacking as well. As they ride their bikes and feel the breeze against their skin and the gravel or dirt path underneath the wheels, they get satisfaction unlike any other.
If you’re set on going bikepacking, you need to prepare your belongings for one or more nights. As you’re packing, you have to ensure that all of your items are secured properly to your bike. After all, you’ll be dashing like the speed of light on your path.
Packing for a bikepacking trip might seem easy, but it requires a bit of strategy to distribute the weight equally. It isn’t easy to ride a bike with a lot of loads compared to one that carries nothing. However, by packing wisely, you can easily ride your bike on whatever terrain you’re on. In this article, we break down the basics of packing for a bikepacking trip:
- Handlebar and Seat Packs
All of your lightweight but bulky items should be placed in your seat pack and handlebar pack. These bike areas should not carry much weight since they might affect how you navigate your ride. For a good gauge, bikepackers usually put their sleeping bags, clothes and tents in these bike sections.
- Frame Pack
You should place heavy items like a portable stove, bike tubes, food and more in the frame pack. Doing so allows the bike’s centre of gravity to remain low, letting you handle your bike easily.
- Within Reach
Items that you use all the time, like snacks, maps, water or your cell phone, should always be within reach. You can place these items on top tube bags, cages or stem bags to make them easily accessible to you.
Packing for Your Seat Pack
- Lightweight Items
The items that will be in your seat pack should only be lightweight. You can put these items directly into the pack without using sacks. However, to keep your belongings safe from moisture, you should put them in a waterproof stuff sack before placing them inside your seat pack.
- Heavy Items
You should place any heavy items close to the seat post. By placing hefty objects in this area, you can evenly distribute the weight and not be affected while you’re riding your bike.
Packing for Your Handlebar Pack
- Lightweight Items
Like the seat pack, this area is an ideal storage for items like tents, clothes and sleeping bags. It is advisable to put your things in waterproof sacks before placing them in the handlebar pack to keep them as dry as possible.
- Frequently Used Items
Be mindful of how you pack your items. Place your clothes and other bikepacking belongings at the base and pack the ones you use the most last. After all, they’re the ones you need frequent access to.
Conclusion
Bikepacking is an exciting activity if you’re a fan of the outdoors. Make it more fun for yourself by ensuring that you are prepared for anything. And on top of packing everything you need, you can enhance your cycling experience by upgrading your bike’s features, like getting a new bike seat cushion and other accessories.
Cushbike offers high-quality, comfortable bike seats and accessories that make your bikepacking trip more enjoyable. Our products are lauded by cyclists all across the country. After all, we want to make sure that we are helping you have the best bikepacking experience of your life. So, if you’re interested in buying a comfortable bicycle seat and other cycling accessories, browse through our catalogue.