Beginner Bikepacking Weekend

There’s no official definition for bikepacking. For some people, it’s about touring fast and light, and using specific bags. For others, it’s about prioritizing dirt roads and trails over pavement. Since there’s no exact definition, I’ll defer to Bikepacking.com: “Simply put, bikepacking is a mix of all-terrain cycling and backpacking. It evokes the freedom of backcountry hiking and travel off the beaten path but with the added range, quicker pace, and thrill of riding a nimble bicycle.”

You can use any bike to go bikepacking. I was on a group ride a few years ago where a few people showed up with beat-up townies and carried their gear in milk crates. That said, since bikepacking routes favour dirt over pavement, I do recommend a bike that is designed for dirt surfaces, whether that be a gravel bike or mountain bike.

Bikepacking gear can be overwhelming. There’s dozen of big companies and cottage manufacturers making all sorts of bags for countless purposes. It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole and obsess over which is the perfect saddle bag, and which fork bags you might want to use. If you’re just starting out, it’s perfectly fine to strap a few dry bags to your frame and go. As I said, I saw someone use a milk crate on a group ride.

While some purists might decry racks and a pannier, they’re perfectly suitable for bikepacking, especially if you’re just riding dirt roads. They may rattle around a bit more, but they’re generally way simpler to use. If you’re planning to ride rougher roads or single track, then soft bags that strap to the frame are preferred because they keep the weight more central.

I recommend starting with what you have, and then investing if you feel you need more specialized gear.

For the Hadow Creek Campout, you just need a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, food, something to cook with (or food that doesn’t need to be cooked) and a change of clothes for the night. We recommend bringing a water filter or purification tablets since drinking untreated water is always risky. Anything else is a luxury.

For longer trips, it’s a good idea to invest in lighter gear that packs down smaller. Much like bikepacking bags, there’s a wealth of options for tents, sleeping pads, and bags, and you can spend as much as you want on the lightest, most high-tech gear. In my experience, space is a bigger limitation with bikepacking than weight, though the two usually go hand-in-hand. At the same time, don’t obsess over weight unless you plan on racing.

We expect everyone to practice leave-no-trace principles, which means pack out what you bring in. We intend to leave the campground cleaner than when we arrived.

Our favourite sources for bikepacking routes are Bikepacking.com and Bikepack Canada. On both sites, you’ll find an overwhelming amount of options from all around the world. You can also use sites like Ride With GPS and Komoot to browse user-created routes, or make your own. If you’re a map geek like me, creating routes is part of the whole fun of bikepacking.

You can find a few recommended routes at the bottom of this article. The Galena Loop, which circles through Nakusp, New Denver, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, and Trout Lake, is highly recommended. The North Fork-Gorge Loop is great for those looking for a more remote overnight adventure. Finally, there are lots of options for out-and-backs on the logging roads off Highway 23 North, or south of Airport Way.