First time bikepacking in Europe, ultra cheap setup.

Just got back from my first bikepacking trip in Europe and I honestly learned more than I expected.
I rode through the rural parts of Belgium instead of sticking to the bigger cities, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions. Quiet roads, forests, tiny villages, farms, and campsites everywhere. It felt like I had the countryside to myself.

My setup was as budget as it gets:
– Quechua MH100 tent
– Cheap Naturehike sleeping bag
– €20 panniers from AliExpress
– Basic camping gear

Nothing fancy, but it all worked surprisingly well.

The biggest challenge wasn’t the gear….. it was the heatwave.
I had imagined doing 120-150 km days, but after around 80 km I was completely exhausted. I underestimated how much riding in 35°C+ temperatures with a loaded bike drains your energy. I spent way more time looking for shade, water, and places to cool down than I expected.