Image: Pexels / Marek Piwinicki
Following the whirlwind journey of Kino Yves – a French adventurer who spent three years ‘bikepacking’ across Europe and Africa to Cape Town on an electric tricycle – we’re exploring what ‘bikepacking’ is, what gear one would generally need, as well as what life looks like for a wild biker on roads less travelled.
What is bikepacking?
Bikepacking, in a nutshell, is adventure cycling stripped down to the basics. It’s just you, a bike, and your bags clipped to the frame. Unlike traditional overlanding, which generally comes with heavier setups, bikepacking is built for agility.
You’re tackling gravel paths, mountain trails, or overgrown tracks, carrying only what you need to sleep, eat, and roll on. It’s a no-frills kind of freedom and a test of grit.
The bikepacking scene has blown up recently, driven by riders who’ve made it legendary. If you’re looking for a point-of-view introduction to the world of bikepacking, check these guys out:
Image: Pexels / Marek Piwinicki
Bikepacking gear
The right gear is crucial to a successful bikepacking trip. Generally, here’s what you will need, though it differs according to route, distance, etc:
Your bike
Bikes built for the task—gravel or mountain models with tyres over 5 centimetres wide—handle rough surfaces like dirt, rocks, and roots with ease.
Frames and bags
Instead of panniers, riders use frame bags, handlebar rolls, and seat packs (preferably waterproof), keeping total capacity around 20-30 litres for a balanced, snag-free load.
Mechanical parts
Mechanical essentials include a multi-tool with a chain breaker, two spare tubes, a patch kit, a mini pump, and tyre levers, as breakdowns are part of the deal.
Navigation
Navigation relies on GPS devices backed by offline maps to navigate spotty signal zones.
Power
For power, a 10,000mAh battery pack and a 5-10W solar panel suit longer journeys, while dehydrated meals and a lightweight stove provide efficient sustenance.
Meals
Meals on the road are generally calorie-dense, non-perishable snacks (energy bars, nuts, biltong), dehydrated meals, and a compact stove for hot meals. Include a collapsible water container (2-3 liters) and a portable filter or purification tablets for refilling from natural sources.
Safety
Bikepackers need to focus visibility and emergency readiness. A headlamp, rear bike light, and reflective gear for low-light conditions are all musts. An emergency bivvy or space blanket, whistle, and a satellite communicator are great for remote areas. A lightweight lock deters theft during stops.
Medicine
Essential health supplies: painkillers (ibuprofen), antihistamines, anti-diarrheal tablets, and personal prescriptions. Add blister pads, antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tape, and a tweezer for ticks. Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and insect repellent are also must-haves.
Bikepackers overnight
Bikepackers, being the adventurers they are, often lean towards self-reliance when it comes to nightfall, opting to sleep in ultralight tents set up on flat grass or gravel, or bivvy sacks for a minimalist snooze under the stars.This does not discount the possibility of staying at a backpackers or BnB, though ‘roughing it’ seems to be a common trend amongst bikepackers. Camping is more affordable than booking accommodation, though creature comforts every now and then can be a nice refresher from the road.
Wild camping is often the go-to, with riders finding discreet spots off trails, typically nearby a water source. Leave-no-trace principles—packing out rubbish, avoiding fires unless safe, and leaving no trace—are standard wherever they rest.
Image: Pexels
Bikepacking safety
Bikepacking comes with inherent risks, especially when travelling through remote areas:
- Remote routes often lack quick access to help, making satellite communicators valuable for emergencies.
- Riders typically share detailed itineraries—routes, campsites, and return dates—with someone reliable, setting check-in times.
- Wildlife encounters depend on location. If you’re wild camping, one needs to think about requiring food storage in odour-proof bags or canisters and campsites that don’t encroach on watering holes.
Bikepacking as a beginner
For those new to bikepacking, starting small is key—an overnight trip of 32-80 kilometres helps riders test their setup. Routes are often planned using GPS, filtered for gravel or trails, with Google Earth verifying conditions. Water sources and resupply points—small towns or petrol stations—are mapped every 48-64 kilometres, though extra food like energy bars or nuts covers delays. Gear totals 7-9 kilogrammes, favouring multi-use items. Testing gear on local trails first catches issues like loose bags or saddle woes, and the activity’s unpredictability—a flat tyre or detour.
Next, we’ll chat to bikepackers who have been documenting their journeys across Africa. Stay tuned.
ALSO READ: Montagu Pass to undergo estimated R80 million in repairs
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