PACKUP&LET’SGO!

All the essential info you need to plan your trip out into the wild

Where to ride

The UK is criss-crossed with ridable bridleways and permissive paths. Pick up an Ordnance Survey map or sign up with OS online and rough out a route. You can even download their app to your smartphone and use it as a GPS. Make sure you have a way of recharging it though.

Rough sleeping

Use the smallest sleeping bag you can get away with. A simple foam mat a dds enough comfort for short trips and can be trimmed down to make it easier to pack. Tent, bivvy or bothy – the choice of accommodation is yours and will make a big difference to how much you need to carry.

Dress for success

The great thing about being miles from civilisation is that no one will know how bad you whiff after a few days in the wild. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial, so can be worn for days on the trot. Make sure to take some antibacterial chamois cream too. You’ll need suitable layers to put on for your time off the bike. Packing a rain jacket is always advisable too.

Al fresco eating

Unless you’re willing to haul a lot of kitchen kit, wild cooking generally consists of boiling water. You can use this to make tea, cook dried noodles, rehydrate dehydrated meals and make porridge. Head to your local camping store for lots of affordable and compact solutions. Don’t be tempted to make an open fire – they’re messy, damage the ground and can get out of control.

Don’t pack your fears

Do you really need that extra jacket or half a tool kit? One of the most fun elements of bikepacking is making do with the bare minimum. Pack items that can be used for more than one thing. For example, a tyre lever makes quite a good item of cutlery, or a spork can be used as a makeshift tyre lever. Learn from it Look at your set-up and think about how to make it better next time. This could be by making it lighter or changing your riding position. Be ruthless when unpacking – if you didn’t use something, will you really need it next time?