Bikepacking to the Eclipse (Video)

Additional photos by Kody Dahl

This is a story of redemption, though not in any serious way. The last time there was an eclipse totality in North America, it happened right near my home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and I was on a work trip back in Texas. I was so disappointed that I missed it, especially so close to where I live, and vowed that I was going to do whatever it took to experience the next totality. This video documents how that experience unfolded along with some great friends.

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Documenting life, and trips specifically, has become one of the most consistent rhythms of my life and one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever given myself. At some point in my teens, I noticed my dad journaling, and he encouraged me to keep a journal and told me about what a gift it has been for him to look back on over the years. Since that day, I’ve kept a journal of every one of the hundreds of trips and adventures I’ve been on and documented many of them with a camera as well.

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Figuring out how to document bikepacking trips well has been a unique challenge. Camera gear is not light, and there’s only so much space on the bike. I actually broke my camera strap on this trip before we even left our hostel at the start, and the owner was kind enough to send me off with one of his old camera straps! It was another shining example of just making it work and being open to whatever solutions you come across.

Our group put together a loop to view the total eclipse in the town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and we were lucky to find the Little Egypt River to River route here on BIKEPACKING.com as part of the Local Overnighter Project, which was well within the path of totality, so we incorporated bits and pieces of it into a loop through Missouri and Illinois. Knowing how hectic traffic can be with folks coming in to view it, we figured arriving back in town by bike would be the most enjoyable and hassle-free way to view the eclipse in the company of others, and we were right.

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I packed one camera body, one lens, one mic, and a drone. That was it as far as gear goes. I typically treat trips like this as a fun puzzle in this way, which just adds to the adventure. Thank you to my friends who joined from Chattanooga and the incredible locals we met in Cape Girardeau for making this such a great trip.

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I’m so thankful I took the camera along on this bikepacking journey, as it was such an unbelievably unique experience. Let this be a reminder to do whatever you can to take pieces of your adventures with you. Whether it be journaling, film photography or a GoPro, you’ll thank yourself later when you get to relive your time out there! I hope you enjoy the film, and if you’re a member of the Bikepacking Collective, be sure to check out Kody’s written account of the experience in the 12th issue of The Bikepacking Journal. Thanks so much for watching!

Did you make it out to witness the 2024 total solar eclipse? Let us know where you caught it, and share a photo in the conversation below!

Further Reading

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