Riding into the bush with everything you need strapped to your bike, then camping somewhere quiet for the night, is one of the most fun ways to get outdoors. In the video below, Chris and Bec head off on their push bikes for an overnight bush camp: “great place, great fun.” If you’ve been tempted to try bike camping, also called bikepacking, here’s how to get started.
What is bikepacking?
Bikepacking means carrying camping gear on your bicycle, usually in soft bags strapped to the frame, handlebars and seat post rather than in traditional panniers on racks. It works on almost any bike, from mountain bikes and gravel bikes to the bike already in your shed. An overnight trip is the perfect introduction.
Choosing your bags
Handlebar roll
A dry bag strapped to the handlebars is ideal for light, bulky items like your tent body, sleeping bag or quilt. Keep it compact so it doesn’t touch the front tire or interfere with your brake and gear cables.
Frame bag
A bag inside the main triangle of the frame keeps heavy items low and centered, which is where you want weight. Good things to put here are food, water, tools and the stove.
Seat pack
A tapered bag hanging behind the saddle holds clothes, a sleeping pad or anything soft. Pack it tightly so it doesn’t sway when you stand on the pedals.
Racks and panniers
If your bike has rack mounts, panniers are a perfectly good alternative. They carry more and are easy to pack, though they can be bulkier on narrow tracks.
What to pack for an overnight
Keep it simple. The less you carry, the more fun the ride is.
- Shelter: a small tent (a trekking-pole tent can be pitched with a stick or spare pole) or a hammock and tarp
- Sleep: a sleeping bag or quilt and a compact pad
- Kitchen: a small stove, a pot, a spoon and easy food, or skip cooking entirely for a one-nighter
- Water: bottles on the frame or fork, plus a filter if there’s water on the route
- Clothes: a warm layer for camp, a rain shell, and dry socks
- Light: bike lights plus a headlamp or small lantern for camp
- Repair kit: spare tube or plug kit, pump, tire levers, a multi-tool with the right hex keys, and a few zip ties
- First aid and sun protection
Balancing your load
How your bike handles loaded depends on where the weight sits. Put heavy items low and in the middle (frame bag), light bulky things at the ends (handlebars and seat pack), and avoid a heavy backpack, which tires your shoulders and raises your center of gravity. Before the trip, do a test ride with everything packed. Check that nothing rubs the tires, rattles loose or blocks your legs.
Planning your first route
- Keep it short. Choose a distance you’d find easy unloaded, because a packed bike is slower, especially on hills and loose ground.
- Know where you can camp. Use established campgrounds or areas where dispersed camping is allowed, and check fire restrictions.
- Find your water. Know where you can refill, or carry enough for the ride, dinner and breakfast.
- Leave a plan with someone and carry a charged phone or offline map.
- Ride with a friend the first time, like Chris and Bec, so you can share gear and help each other out.
Camp tips for bike campers
Arrive with daylight to spare, lock or secure your bikes to a tree if you’re near other people, and keep food away from your sleeping spot. In the morning, pack the bags in the same order every time. You’ll quickly learn where everything lives.
Need help choosing a lightweight kitchen? Our guide to camping cookware for backcountry cooking covers the options.
Shop the gear
- Trekker Tent 1 (1-Person Trekking Pole Tent)
- Ultra-Light Nesting Aluminum Cookware Set
- Stainless Steel Folding Spoon and Fork
See all camping gear at NicheStuff
Heads up: NicheStuff is our own shop, so we earn from purchases made through these links.
FAQ
Do I need a special bike for bikepacking?
No. Most bikes work for a short overnight, as long as they’re in good mechanical shape and you choose a route that suits the tires.
Bags or panniers, which is better?
Frame-mounted bags handle better on rough tracks. Panniers carry more and suit smoother roads. Either works for a first overnight.
How much should I carry?
As little as possible. For one night, a shelter, sleep kit, simple food, water, layers and a repair kit is plenty.
What’s the most important repair item?
A way to fix a flat: a spare tube or plug kit, tire levers and a pump that fits your valves.