BIKEPACKING FOR BEGINNERS

Rachael Wight shares five lessons she learned on the Pennine Rally

It was the

urge to be a total beginner at something again that led me to the start line of the Rapha Pennine Rally earlier this summer. The thought of riding 513km from Edinburgh to Manchester, self-supported and mostly off-road, was daunting, even with one of my best friends for company. Especially as we joined the 100-strong crew with only one previous practice night’s sleep under the stars to our names!

As beginners, we had to grapple with the uncomfortable and the unknown, not to mention our own vulnerabilities. But, just as we’d hoped, as well as really enjoying the challenge, we learned a few things along the way. These could be useful for anyone else thinking of giving bikepacking a go, whether as part of an organised multi-day event like the Pennine Rally or just for an overnighter with mates.

1 YOU DON’T HAVE TO CAMP

We set off equipped with one-man tents, sleeping bags and stoves, because we thought that was the way you were supposed to do it. It didn’t take us long to figure out that if you don’t want to spend the night under canvas, then you don’t have to. With a little routejiggling, you can find a comfy bed to sleep in not far from the trails, and you won’t be ostracised from the bikepacking crowd for doing so, either!

2 LET YOUR BIKE TAKE THE STRAIN

Load your bike, not your body. If it fits on your frame or fork, handlebar or seatpost, then fix it there and avoid wearing a backpack, which will soon become tiring and start to feel very heavy. Loading your bike up evenly, front to back, will ensure the handling remains stable and you get grip from both tyres. My top tip is to keep your tent or tarp somewhere separate, away from your clean gear – you’ll appreciate this when you have to put away a soggy shelter.

3 MAKE SURE TO SWITCH OFF

The simple nature of bikepacking makes it easy to be mindful. While the five days of the Pennine Rally were incredibly physically tough, they were mentally restful. Riding from point to point with the simple goal of continuous forward momentum for eight hours a day makes things uncomplicated. I think it may be the best way to create some guilt-free ‘you time’.

4 KNOW YOUR ROUTE

Knowledge is power, so make sure you know your route. As well as using GPS units, we relied on the OS Maps and Komoot apps on our phones for extra navigation detail and elevation graphs. Knowing how long the next hill is and how steep the gradient will be helps with energy management and refuelling, ensuring you can pedal for longer.

5 DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP

We did on more than one occasion, and we helped others, too. There were lots of first-timers at the Pennine Rally, and once I’d got over my anxiety and realised it’s OK to ask questions, I got on much better. I mean, how are you supposed to know where to put that tracker?! Making friends and camping in groups will get you a better night’s sleep, too.

THE DAYS WERE PHYSICALLY TOUGH BUT MENTALLY RESTFUL