You Don't Build Your Setup. You Discover It., by Still Pedalling on YouTube. 9 min 32 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 32 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Decide what kind of ride you want before you pack anything. A fast overnighter on easy trails needs far less kit than a slow weekend on rough ground.
Lay your shelter, sleep system, cooking kit and clothes on the floor. Put back anything you cannot justify for the forecast.
Pack the heaviest items low and near the middle of the bike. Strap bulky, light gear to the handlebars and under the saddle.
Keep tools, snacks and water in the frame bag so you can reach them without unpacking everything at the roadside.
Lift the loaded bike by the saddle to check the balance. If the front wanders or the rear feels vague, move weight before you set off.
Ride a short loaded loop near home. Stop and adjust straps until nothing rubs the frame, rattles or comes loose.
At camp, choose flat, dry ground away from dead branches and drainage lines. Pitch the tent with the door sheltered from the wind.
Inflate your mat, keep your bag and clothes inside the tent or in dry bags, and cook well outside and away from fabric.
Pack in the same order every morning. A fixed routine means you notice straight away when something is missing.
Tips and common mistakes
Weigh your full load once at home, because just in case items add up fast.
Sleep in your setup in the garden first so a cold or leaky night is not a surprise.
Check local rules on wild camping and fires before you plan a pitch.
Tape the frame where bags rub, or the paint will wear through on rough tracks.
Questions
Do I need a rear rack to bikepack?
No. A frame bag, handlebar roll and seat pack carry enough for one or two nights if you pack light. Check clearance on your bike first.
How do I carry water and food?
Use a frame bag and stem or fork bags for bottles and snacks. Refill at taps, shops or streams you have confirmed are safe.
What if it rains overnight?
Pack your sleeping bag and clothes in dry bags inside the main bags. A cheap liner and a decent tarp keep the worst off your shelter.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
