Over the last few days, I’ve been out on my bike for several days for the first time. In just three days, my cousin and I covered a distance of 430 km, split into stages of 180 km, 120 km, and 130 km. Here are some aspects that I learned from this trip:
1. Minimalist Packing: Less is More
Minimalist packing is not only sufficient but also extremely practical and weight-saving. My Apidura Expedition saddlebag was more than enough for everything I needed.
My packing list was stripped down to the essentials:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen
- Small towel
- Barefoot shoes (good to fold)
- Rain jacket
- 1 T-shirt
- Two pairs of shorts
- 2 pairs of underwear
- 2 pairs of socks
- cables and power supply for charging watch, Wahoo Bolt and smartphone
- Rear light and front light
2. Seat Care is Essential
Proper seat care and relieving pressure on the saddle is one the most important things to avoid pain in this area. After many hours in the saddle, this becomes crucial. For me regularly shifting positions on the bike and increasing pedal pressurefor a while helped to reduce saddle pressure.
- Using seat creme (I applied cream to the pad as well as the area on the body)
- a good, well-worn pair of cycling shorts
- Changed the position on the saddle from time to time (increasing pedal pressure from time to time helps also)
- adjusted the saddle slightly differently (for example, tilted it more).
3. The Route Makes the Difference
We used Komoot to navigate, but unfortunately it often took us through towns, which slowed us down and took the fun out of the ride. Next time we would invest more time in planning the route.
4. Simple Nutrition to avoid hunger
Proper nutrition during the ride is essential to avoid lose the fun of cycling. I relied maltodextrin and fructose in two 750ml bottles but also on fruit bars made with dates and raisins, complemented by stops at the bakery. This simple yet effective diet ensured I had enough energy for the long stages.
I took two bags of maltodextrin and fructose with me and weighed them out (4x120g). This helped me to get through the day and not have to take so many breaks. It’s also a very inexpensive nutrition, although perhaps not the best for dental health. It’s best to brush your teeth straight after the ride.
5. Post-Ride Delight: Eating Out
After a long day on the bike, there’s nothing better than a hearty meal. Whether it was pizza, burgers, or whatever else we craved, dinner became a highlight that not only satisfied our hunger but also boosted our spirits.
6. Washing the Laundry
Taking care of your cycling clothes is an important part of bikepacking. Every evening, I washed my clothes, wrung them out thoroughly, and wrapped them in a towel to step on them. This helped them dry quickly and be ready for the next day.
7. The Journey is the Goal
Bikepacking is not just about covering the kilometers but also about stopping to explore, taking in the surroundings, or simply spending some time relaxing at a beautiful spot, as we did on a dike. The journey is the goal.
8. Bikepacking as Basic Training
Bikepacking is not only an adventure but also an excellent way to improve your endurance. The long days in the saddle offer an effective way to build stamina while enjoying the scenery.
9. Simple Accommodations and Warm Hospitality
We opted for simple rooms along the route. Our first place was on a farm in a very basic room. Despite the simplicity, the warm hospitality and fantastic breakfast, with fruit salad, yogurt, scrambled eggs, coffee and bread were simply outstanding. In my opinion, these stays are much cooler than staying in a hotel.
10. Flexibility and Adapting to the Unexpected
On the last day, we originally planned to take the train back. My cousin decided to do so, but I chose to save the €30 for the train and rode back instead. Despite two hours of rain, I stayed warm and dry thanks to the mild temperatures. Although my drivetrain got covered in mud, it fortunately didn’t affect my ride.