I set out on my first solo bikepacking overnight this week. The plan was to ride out to Eklutna Lake, camp overnight, and ride back the next morning. It didn’t go quite as planned, but I still consider it a success and a great shakedown.
Route & Mileage:
- Started in the Anchorage area, with a couple of morale stops along the way (coffee, lunch at Chepo’s in Eagle River, more coffee at Jitters).
- Continued north toward Peters Creek.
- Ended up logging about 30 miles total.
Mirror Lake:
I decided not to attempt the Eklutna climb this time — instead, I diverted to Mirror Lake. It turned out to be a beautiful choice. Made friends with some ducks, soaked up the evening light, and met up with a few friends to enjoy the last of the day. They ended up giving me a ride home, which felt like the right call since I was pretty spent.
Takeaways & Wins:
- Got my first 30 miles with a loaded setup.
- Tested my gear and fueling strategy.
- Learned how the bike feels fully packed.
- Practiced pacing and snack timing.
- Confirmed that bail-outs are part of the game plan and not a failure.
What’s Next:
Didn’t camp this time, but next ride the goal is to actually stay out overnight. Feeling good about the progress and looking forward to building from here.
by frgvn