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Trail Smarts & Dirt Wizardry
Thoughts, tips, practical advice, and dirt wizardry learned on the trail. If you are new to bikepacking, this might be a good place to start.
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Thoughts, tips, practical advice, and dirt wizardry learned on the trail. If you are new to bikepacking, this might be a good place to start.
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Navigating the world of custom bikepacking bags can be daunting, even for experienced riders. Adding to our growing archive of guides to understanding and getting the most out of custom-built bike luggage, Ty Domin of Yeah Nah Thread Works compiled this primer featuring several key pointers to keep in mind when discussing projects with one-off bag makers. Read it here…
Feeling the winter blues? In this mini guide, Neil shares the most popular winter bikepacking destinations around the world, catering to those living in the Northern Hemisphere who are currently in the grip of winter’s chill. Find region and route suggestions from the sun-soaked landscapes of Florida to the majestic culture and riding in Thailand and more here…
Dynamo-curious? In this easy-to-follow guide, we shine some light on what makes always-on dynamo lighting and charging a perfect fit for bikepacking and more. Read on to find essential concepts about dynamo hubs, guiding questions, and advice for assembling a transformative dynamo setup that’s right for you…
When was the last time you showed your waxed canvas bags some love? In preparation for a long, wet winter in the Pacific Northwest, Miles decided it was time to re-wax some neglected bikepacking gear. In this guide, you’ll find instructions on how to make your own waterproofing gear wax, how to wax canvas, our experience with ready-made wax, and tips from some of our favorite waxed canvas bag makers…
Throughout the past decade, our team at BIKEPACKING.com has learned from many mistakes, and we continue to make them from time to time. Here, we discusses these mishaps, reflect on what led to them, and offer some advice for avoiding similar misfortunes…
Following a three-year trip from Mexico to Argentina with his Salvadoran partner, Jake Dacks put together this concise guide to help folks fill in some cultural and historical gaps before traveling through Latin America. Beyond the nuts and bolts of bikes and gear, these non-technical insights aim to help bikepackers have a more immersive experience in the region. Find the guide and further resources here…
In this guide, we take an in-depth look at ultralight water filters and purification methods, review several products, identify the essential factors to consider when planning your bikepacking hydration and water treatment system, and reveal our editors’ choices. Find it all here…
Following a successful three-year ride from Mexico to Argentina with his partner Andrea Molina, Jake Dacks put together this seven-part guide to navigating a relationship while pedaling through ever-changing environments and experiences. Find his collection of useful tips for bikepacking with a partner and a gallery of images from Central and South America here…
Convenience has become so second nature that we often seek it out without thinking, even in our outdoor adventures. If you’re disheartened by all the discarded packaging that seems to accompany the pursuit of the simple life, check out this fully updated guide to Low-Waste Bikepacking for hints and tips for reducing the trash you create on your next bike tour…
When traveling in sensitive areas or desert climates, it’s important to understand best practices when it comes to human waste. In our latest video, Neil explains when you should pack out your poop, some proven techniques, and how to carry it safely. Plus, find a list of some of the best “WAG” bags available…
While a lot of modern bike standards and technologies are widely adopted at this point, some folks might still question whether it’s okay to go bikepacking with a suspension fork, particularly on extra-long trips. Others might have questions about maintenance, service intervals, reliability, and setup. To test all this, we put over 1,500 miles on a fork during a big bikepacking trip, then met with a veteran suspension expert to see how it fared, answer some questions, and do some science…
If you’re a shorter rider who struggles to find a place to fit all of your gear on your frame, this guide’s for you. Find our guide to packing small bikes for big adventures here, complete with tips for storage, suggestions for smaller gear, and more…