Class:sec 2a Name:Fachry ID:355

Guide To Bikepacking
Produced by:Fachry aldiano
kepacking is a new genre of bicycle travel that is rapidly growing in popularity. It combines mountain biking with basic camping and has captured
the imagination of people who want to explore the great outdoors, reconnect with nature and camp out with their bikes.
Many bikepackers are already cyclists who are looking for a more challenging adventure. The routes used are predominantly off-road dirt tracks with technical trail features designed to
make them fun and adventurous to ride. Lightweight equipment is needed to enjoy these trails to their fullest. One of the greatest things about this form of travel is the distances that can
be covered on a bike, ranging from 20 to 200 kilometres in a day, with the only constraints being daylight and fatigue.
Racing
Racing in traditional endurance events is expensive due to entry fees and the costs of running a support team and vehicle. As a result
these races are more elitist and less inclusive. In bikepacking racing riders are self-supported with all forms of organised support
prohibited. Races can be competed very competitively on an extremely limited budget making the events more accessible and affordable
to all. The simplicity of riding alone, self-supported, on challenging trails imitates the early era of professional bike racing and holds a deep
attraction for many cyclist.Riders use comparable equipment. Any standard commercially available upright bike is permitted with
reasonable personal modifications. Race routes are typically over 300 kilometres covering a mixture of terrain. The races have a mass
start and the clock runs from the start of the race until the finish line is reached. Drafting is not permitted. All equipment must be carried by
the rider and no support vehicles are allowed. Riders must obtain all supplies and accommodation from commercial sources that are
equally available to all participants along the route. Hiding supplies, pre-booking accommodation or receiving any form of support from
other racers, family or friends is not permitted. The riders themselves must strategically choose how much time to devote to riding, resting
and refuelling each day.
Being alone and self-reliant is part of the test and part of the adventure. Some events worth packing your framebag for are:
Event Region KM Time Limit Notes
Inca Divide Peru 1800 12 days High altitude cycling in Andes mountains, challenging weather conditions
Indian Pacific Wheel Race Australia 5500 30 days Fixed route - shore of Indian Ocean, Perth to Pacific Ocean, Sydney
Race Across South Africa, east to west. Must be navigated by map and compass, GPS
Freedom Challenge Africa 2300 26 days devices not allowed
Tour Divide Canada-USA 4400 40 days Fixed route - Canada to Mexican border, traversing length of Rocky Mountains
Trans Am Bike Race USA 6900 No limit Fixed route - Pacific coast, Oregon to Atlantic Coast, Virginia
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Racer positions are monitored using GPS satellite-based tracker devices which are fixed to the bikes and
upload the position to a website for racers and followers to view. Official reports and videos are posted
online and some competitors post updates on social media. Many participants do not enter a bikepacking
race to win, but merely to challenge themselves to take bike touring to a more intense level

Race rules all and

races follow a general set of guidelines that are designed to make the racing fair for all participants. Events may have their own specific
rules but the standard guidelines that apply to all races are:

full course must be completed from start to finish

no outside support permitted

all forward travel over land must be human powered

pre-booking accommodation or food/supply caching on the trail is not allowed

drafting is prohibited

riders must carry a GPS tracker

riders must have insurance and wear a helmet

front and rear lights are mandatory

riders must wear high visibility clothing and reflective gear at night
Class:sec 2a Name:Fachry ID:355

riders must know, respect and observe local laws.

Bikepacking should have minimal impact on the landscape and people

living in it. The ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics offer a sound common sense
approach to preserving the natural beauty of the land which should look
untouched and be left as it was found.
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Equipment
Almost every mainstream bike manufacturer now produces at least one ‘adventure bike’ or ‘bikepacking rig’. A typical equipment setup consists of a
lightweight mountain bike with an efficient, ultralight gear kit for carrying minimal supplies. Advances in technology have made ultra-light camping
equipment such as titanium stoves more affordable. The kit is packed or strapped onto the bike so it is balanced and secure.
Conventional cycle touring uses racks and panniers to carry equipment. This adds considerable weight to the bike, making it difficult to push and an
uncomfortable ride on off-road terrain. Bikepacking uses a new type of lightweight bags that fit directly to the frame of the bike. The main load carriers
usually consist of a handlebar roll, a seat pack and frame pack. Distributing the load so lighter weight items are at the front of the bike prevents the
steering from feeling too heavy. The seatpack usually contains clothes and food with heavier items in the framepack as this has a lower centre of
gravity. Typically, a full set of bikepacking bags weighs around a kilo, with a capacity of around 32 litres.
Limited space encourages a lightweight approach which makes a noticeable difference to the handling of a bike. A lighter bike makes the steering more
nimble, the climbs less of a chore and the descents safer. There is considerably less wear and tear on components and both the rider and bike will be
less fatigued. In turn this makes the bike faster and more enjoyable to ride, whatever the surface.

Navigation
Bikepacking lends itself particularly well to touring with a handlebar-mounted GPS device loaded with pre-planned routes. Singletrack trails are often
unmarked or easily missed and a GPS mapping device will provide directional guidance negating the need to stop and consult a map at every junction.
Alternatively, a smartphone is a very useful device if you have the means to keep it charged. GPX files are the most popular way of saving and
exchanging routes electronically. These files contain all the route information needed to stay on track and enable riders to plan a route, navigate whilst
riding and review how well a trip went. They can be found online, swapped on forums, or created and shared. A back-up compass and map are always
recommended in case the electronics fail. Preparation is key. As you become more adventurous you will be exploring further away from support and
help.
Camping
It is often illegal to camp in the wild without the landowner’s permission. Many landowners and farmers will be happy to allow camping if they are asked, but access laws must always
be respected.