Today I’m setting off on my first longer bikepacking trip. I’ve only done 3-4 day trips before. This time, I’ve quit my job and moved out of my house, so the duration and route are completely open. I’m starting from the Dolomites in North of Italy, first heading east into Slovenia. Depending on the weather this summer / autumn, I might keep going east or head back south/west direction Portugal.
I’ve prepared as well as I could, and I’m choosing the slow and steady traveling approach. Therefore it’s not a light weight setup.
The frame is a Surly Ogre I bought second hand and rebuilt from the ground up, with the best components I could find within my budget. It’s taken about 2 months but now I finally feel ready, and maybe even over-prepared. I’ve read all the Reddit posts, watched all existing videos on similar trips and builds, until my brain was as full. Now it’s time to ask for your input. I haven’t made a full gear list, but I’m quite confident I have everything I would possibly need. I’m more looking for your thoughts on the general setup and your experience in this kind of long open-ended trip.
My biggest open questions are on the topic of feeding myself in a healthy way, as this won’t just be for a few weeks, but at least 3-6 months. I plan to spend most of my nights wild camping, whenever possible.
What kind of base foods would you always stock up on? How do you balance a mixed diet with the limitation of cooking on 1 gas stove with limited gas? I’m curious about your experiences 🍀
by Feisty-Enthusiasm224
8 Comments
You’ll definitely be slow and steady with that load! Good luck and enjoy the venture not the destination!
I think you have packed way more than you really need, although I fully support the inclusion of a small corduroy dog… just for interest, what does the loaded up bike weigh?
Looks badass! I’m just coming off the back of a trip where I learned a lot about overloading the bike…the main thing I need to change are my wheels.
Looks like you’ve already got sufficient ones fitted to handle a heavy load and as you go, you’ll probably shed a bit of weight as you start to figure out that there are things you don’t actually need.
I definitely feel you on the eating healthy thing too. That can be hard on the road. On some trips this year (not always bikepacking, just travel in general) where it’s remote and hard to get a balanced diet on the plate, I’ve been taking multivitamins. Just a thought. Have fun!!
Speaking to diet: my longest trips are generally 1-2 weeks but I’m vegetarian and pretty conscientious about what I eat, and notice that my body feels much worse if I let that slip. I prefer to eat as many whole grains, beans, and fruits and vegetables as possible. Dehydrated vegetables can be great: I have a food dehydrator and have done kale and other vegetables in there as a lightweight option to add to meals, but that won’t last you for months. I’d just plan to stop at real grocery stores whenever possible to pick up produce. You’ve got a lot of storage space, make sure some of it is empty for extra food when you have good resupply options.
I bet you will be mailing back a lot of things a few days into your trip. Yes better to be overprepared (esp on your first longer trip) but the extra energy it takes to move all the extras.. not worth it.
As far as food, I always use tortillas (malleable yet nutrient dense), pb (heavy but nutrient dense), and oatmeal packets. I will pick up fruits or berries along the way but not carry a bunch of bananas for instance. Try to pack only a few days worth of food (unless the route encompasses many days away from amenities). I also get packets of tuna or salmon to add to mac and cheese at night. Protein, nostalgia, and warmth in the belly make a big difference.
Probably don’t need that much water unless you’re in the desert or something
I dont mean to be an asshole, but here goes: what is the point of an open-ended “adventure” and yet you pack everything you will possibly need? Why not just go with absolute absolute basics (ONE change of clothes, ONE pair of cycling clothes, sleeping stuff, puffy jacket, thermals stove and some food to get started, basic bike tools, tube, water filter). You’re not going to Turkistan, you’re cycling in europe – you will undoutedbly run through half a dozen towns each day, in case you need something. Again, not trying to be a debbie downer, and sorry if i am, maybe i should just scroll past all these posts of people going on months long journeys, i just dont get it, what’s the point of ditching the house and car, if you’re just going to load up your bike with the house and car…with that all being said, you do have one of the lesser obnoxious bikes i’ve seen
Depending upon where you go having less stuff can be really advantageous as lighter weight and improved aerodynamics is a thing but – *having room in your panniers for extra food and water is rad and sometimes critical. Also sometimes you’re going to need to pick your bike up and lift it over obstacles or even carry it up stairs or something. Off road sometimes stream crossings happen and carrying a heavy bike overhead can be challenging on waist (let alone chest) deep water is sketchy and potentially dangerous. Or an trails lifting your bike up and over fallen trees can occur every 200m for significant distances. On pavement sometimes people will invite you to stay with them. Those people sometimes happen to live on the 5th floor and there’s no elevator so you get to carry your bike up those stairs after a few long days and you’re *haggard*. You’re free to carry as much or little as you want. If you’re happy – you’re happy. As far as healthy food – it depends upon your preferences and dietary restrictions. If you eat wheat/gluten pita bread with salad mix, hummus and meat is a good combo. Fruits and veggies are excellent and highly recommended but heavy + bulky. A soup with some chicken drumsticks/thighs and cutting up an onion + a few zucchini (or cabbage or spinach/kale/collards) and some rice can be decent. Ceviche (a traditional Latin American dish) of raw fish “cooked” in lemon juice combined with some tortillas/potato/rice… and veggies such as cucumbers + tomatoes is healthy and easy.