Bikepacking has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down as we move into 2025. This multi-day cycling discipline, which takes riders across dirt roads, trails, and gravel paths while carrying essential gear, seamlessly blends adventure and exploration. It’s a way to experience nature on your own terms, away from the demands of modern life.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the road, bikepacking allows you to immerse yourself in traffic-free trails and tranquil landscapes. It’s also in line with the growing push for sustainable travel; a recent report by Accor revealed that 28% of Brits plan to travel more sustainably in 2025. Bikepacking ticks all the boxes: adventure, exploration, fitness, and a lighter environmental footprint.
But, for some, the thought of getting on your bike and heading off for an overnight stay can seem quite a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. So to help with some of the basics on how to start your bikepacking journey, Rouleur caught up with John Heard, co-owner of Wild Cycles, a UK family-run business who run gravel tours and trips to increase the accessibility to adventure.
You don’t have to travel far to have a bikepacking trip
When you go on social media, you often see people who complete epic bikepacking trips of hundreds, sometimes thousands, kilometres, traversing several countries or are away for weeks on end. Therefore, you might associate ultra long-distance rides with the only way to do bikepacking, however, Heard points out that you can have a one-night bikepacking trip 10, 20, or 30 miles from home. Keeping it in familiar territory is a good starting point for those new to bikepacking.
“I would say, keep your first bikepacking trip simple,” Heard added. “My advice would be for you to choose a route or a destination in an area that you’re familiar with. For example, I live in London and I know there are several campsites on the periphery of London, so, for example, I might choose to cycle to the Chilterns as I know they are 30 to 40 kilometres away. I can comfortably get there in one day. I know there are fueling opportunities along the way, bike shops, and a couple of train stations, so if I need to bail out, I have options and ways to get either to the campsite or back home.”
Heard suggests using the navigation app Komoot, even if you are keeping local, to plan your bikepacking route, as it allows you to select your type of bike and where you want to go before identifying the best and most scenic route for you to go. “I have ridden the Chilterns many times, but I still discover new routes, and that’s down to Komoot. It is an invaluable route planning tool that we use at Wild Cycles,” Heard said.
All over the world, there are many incredible routes you can take, some harder than others. For example, in the UK, there are popular bikepacking routes such as the King Alfred’s Way (350km circular route), the Great North Trail (1,188km A to B route), and the West Kernow Way (230km circular route).
“These are by no means beginner routes, however,” Heard said. “But you can explore more beginner-friendly routes on Komoot, Bikepacking.com, or Cycling UK. Wales is always a popular destination, or you also have the Canty Way in Kent, which is quite flat. The Rebellion Way in Norfolk is also flat as a pancake and has plenty of fueling places.”
Things will and can go wrong, but you can still prepare
In life, things can go wrong no matter how well you prepare. What often defines the success of a trip is how you respond to these challenges. Adaptability is key to staying calm when faced with unexpected hurdles, whether a fallen tree, a flooded path, or a delay that sets you back an hour. While accepting that setbacks are a part of the journey is important, pre-planning for such eventualities can significantly reduce their impact.
According to Heard, meticulous preparation – what he refers to as “escape routes” – is essential. This planning begins long before you set off on your bikepacking adventure. Being aware of where your closest train or bus station is along the way, as well as knowing the local taxi company, will be key pieces of information you'll need if you need to head home or to your destination. Knowing how to handle basic roadside repairs, such as fixing a puncture, is also crucial, especially when venturing into remote areas. If you’re unsure how to tackle these tasks, resources like YouTube tutorials or workshops at local bike shops can be invaluable. In London, for instance, Moloko Cycles runs mechanical workshops, including women-only classes, to equip cyclists with these vital skills.
“Almost a non-negotiable: make sure you check your bike just before you leave home,” Heard emphasised. “Double-check you’ve got everything—your gear, the right equipment—and that it’s all in good condition and working properly. You don’t want to be out riding, get a puncture, and realise you’ve forgotten an inner tube. A final check will help de-risk some mechanical issues that might crop up.”
Make sure you have the essentials
Carrying all your gear on your bike makes it essential to pack only the necessities—overpacking can quickly turn your bike into a heavy burden, especially on uphill climbs. “We’ve had so many people at Wild Cycles show up with the kitchen sink—six beers and a bottle of whiskey included,” Heard joked. “By the first hill, they’re regretting it. My advice? Keep it light and minimal.”
Despite the temptation to over prepare, Heard emphasised that bikepacking often requires less than you might think. However, there are seven essentials he recommends for every beginner to ensure a successful trip. First and foremost, a well-maintained bike. “It doesn’t need to be a specialist gravel bike,” he explained. “A touring or hybrid bike can work for many routes, as long as it’s suited to the terrain and is in good condition.”
Next is a repair kit with essentials like inner tubes, a multi-tool, and a pump. Navigation tools, whether a Garmin, Wahoo or even a smartphone, come in third. For overnight trips, a high-quality sleeping bag is a must—many beginners underestimate the importance of warmth during cooler nights. Heard also highlighted the need for a reliable shelter, whether a bivvy, tent, hammock, or sleeping mat.
Clothing and a helmet, chosen for both function and minimalism, follow, along with adequate fuel, hydration, and a basic first aid kit. “The key is to pack smart and avoid overloading yourself,” he stressed.
Once you’ve got your essentials, the next step is choosing the right gear –a task that can feel overwhelming given the sheer number of options available online. Heard recommends resources like Bikepacking.com and YouTube videos for guidance. Joining local bikepacking groups or online communities, such as Facebook groups, can also provide valuable advice and insight.
These communities often present opportunities to borrow or buy second-hand gear, which can significantly lower the financial barrier to entry. “From the outside, bikepacking can look expensive—super lightweight bikes, sleeping bags, and tents can seem like a requirement,” Heard acknowledged. “But you don’t need to spend a fortune. For my first bikepacking trip, I rode the King Alfred’s Way with my son on an old, clunky mountain bike and a backpack. Start small, keep it simple, and just give it a go.”
The most important piece of kit and advice that is often overlooked…
“A good quality raincoat,” Heard said when asked about one often-overlooked but essential piece of kit. “I often see ‘raincoats’ that aren’t actually waterproof, so much so that we, as ride leaders, carry spares. If there’s one thing you need, it’s a good-quality raincoat that works. There’s nothing worse than having to stop and set up camp while you’re cold and wet.”
Beyond gear, Heard emphasised that one of the most misunderstood aspects of bikepacking is the time and speed it takes to travel from A to B – especially for those accustomed to road cycling.
“We organise bikepacking trips, and it’s amazing how often people think they’ll smash the route by lunchtime, only to roll in at seven o’clock in the evening,” he said. “Bikepacking, gravel riding, mountain biking, or any off-road riding is much slower than road cycling. A lot of people show up having ridden 100 kilometres on the road in four or five hours. But 100 kilometres off-road? That’s three times the effort and takes three times as long.
“This often takes people by surprise, but that’s also where the magic lies. Slowing down forces you to connect with your surroundings, notice the changing landscape, and appreciate the journey as much as the destination. Bikepacking isn’t about speed – it’s about immersion.”
You don’t have to put in hours of training before your trip
One of the great things about bikepacking is that it’s accessible to cyclists of all levels, and you don’t need to spend months in intense training before hitting the trails. While a bit of preparation is helpful, bikepacking isn’t about pushing your limits with every ride – it’s about enjoying the experience and embracing the adventure. For those new to the sport, short rides or weekend trips are a great way to get comfortable with the gear and pace. As long as you’re familiar with your bike and in reasonably good physical shape, you can dive into a bikepacking trip without the pressure of hours of training.
"It's given me great pleasure to see people doing something they've not done before, and being blown away by the achievement," added Heard. "They might not have been able to do loads of training or they haven't got the 'right' shoes, but they're amazed by themselves that they're capable of doing something as wild and as crazy and as daring as this. When someone pushes themselves outside of their comfort zone, and it blows them away, they get so much confidence from this, such as a boost. They then ask themselves what else can I do? Bikepacking is more than just me telling people to make sure they go out and do a three-hour training ride ahead of their trip, it's more about just giving it a go, and if you need to stop and go home, you can get the train or something, but you try it and you will be amazed. By the end of it, you might be thinking that that was so hard and it nearly killed me, but more often than not, that is followed by, 'But I absolutely loved it.'"
