bikepackers

Bikepackers are cyclists who travel long distances by bicycle, carrying all necessary gear in lightweight bags and packs rather than on a traditional rack or cargo. The practice blends bike touring with backpacking, emphasizing self-sufficiency, minimal weight, and the ability to ride varied terrain, including dirt and gravel roads. Although the activity has older roots in expeditions, the term "bikepacking" came into wider use in the early 2000s as equipment and routes evolved.

Equipment and technique focus on lightweight gear and compact packing. Common components include frame bags, a handlebar bag, a seat pack, and a small top-tube bag, used with a gravel or mountain bike. Sleeping systems are compact, often tarps or ultralight tents, with a compact stove and pot for cooking. Navigation relies on maps, GPS devices, and route apps, with planning balancing distance, elevation, and weather.

Many riders undertake self-supported journeys along established routes such as the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in North America, the Tour Divide, the Baja Divide, or European gravel routes. Bikepacking emphasizes flexibility, allowing riders to combine paved and unpaved roads, singletrack, and campground or bivouac camping as needed.

Safety and ethics considerations include route planning, weather awareness, and self-sufficiency, with an emphasis on Leave No Trace principles. The sport has a growing community of riders, gear makers, and writers, sharing routes, gear reviews, and trip reports through forums, social media, and events.