Packing a Bike for Bike Packing!

Summer is full of many fantastic adventures. The days are long and the nights are beautiful; it is the perfect time to get outside and explore. One way you can get outside this summer is by bike touring. Bike touring is a unique and personal way to travel and see new places. It is a sport & activity that many engage in throughout the year and especially in the summer when the weather is best! However, bike touring can be a bit daunting before you start: you need to prepare for many hours of riding and learn how to pack your bike for travel. Do not fear! We here at Allen want to make sure you have the best experience possible, so we have laid out some tips on the best ways to get ready for your biking touring adventure this summer!

Step 1: Find the right bike for bike touring

Making sure you have the correct bike for your bike touring adventures is key. Which bike is best for you depends on your bike touring desires. Are you planning to do most of your bike touring as long rides on beautiful streets? You should look at a touring bike such as the Surly Long Haul Trucker. Are you more interested in a bike tour such as the Great Allegheny Passage? You should look at a sturdy gravel bike. What you may want in a bike for touring will be different from what you want for other forms of recreational biking such as road cycling and mountain biking. Speak with your local bike shop to find the bike that is the best fit for you!

Step 2: Make sure that you have a rear bike rack. Front racks are also available, but optional

After you’ve chosen your bike, you will want to make sure you have a rear rack installed. This is where you will pack, store, and hold all of your gear! You can also get a rack for the front of your bike, but this is not critical. 

Step 3: Learn how to pack back rack

Once you have a rack installed on your rear wheel, it is time to learn how to pack up your rack. We have laid out the best steps below.

You need a sturdy & waterproof pair of panniers to clip onto your rear rack. These panniers hold the majority of your clothes, toiletries, food, and souvenirs that you collect on your travels - and whatever else you can fit in them! Make sure your panniers are easy to get on and off, but sturdy enough to stay on when you are riding. 

Our best practice is to put your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent on the top of your rack first as a base. Wrap each in an individual trash bag to ensure they are waterproof before placing them on your rack. I like to do the tent first, then sleeping pad, then sleeping bag, all in a row. No need to bungee these down individually, but they create a nice flat base on your rack to build on top of. 

From there, you will start building on your other camp gear & anything else you may need during the day while riding (such as a bag of chips or large water bottle!). Make sure your formation is not too tall and evenly distributed so that you don’t fall to one side while riding!

The final step is to pack everything down with plenty of bungee cords! Make sure that your rack and all the items on it are nice and secure. You should give your bike a really hefty shake - if anything looks even a little bit loose - fix it! It is better to adjst a few things before you start your day than loose items in the middle of the road while you are riding!

Step 4:  Purchase & install a handlebar bag

One item that I always like to have on my bike packing journeys is a nice handlebar bag. My handlebar bag is where I store items I will likely need in the middle of my ride, such as directions, sunscreen, small snacks, my phone, camera, chamois butter, and more. It is a great item to have that makes the journey much smoother. 

Step 5 (Optional): Front panniers 

I mentioned earlier how you can install a front rack as well as a rear rack onto your bicycle. If you choose to do this, you can purchase small front panniers for additional storage space if you are going on a particularly long or item-heavy journey. This is an optional step and not necessary for all bike packing adventures. 

Step 6: Bring lots of snacks with protein, sugar, and salt

Once you have your bike set up, it is time to buy food! You will need lots of snacks for your bike packing trip. While bike packing, it is important to fuel often and well in order to prevent what we call “bonking.” You should bring a variety of snacks, and make sure to include ones that include protein, sugars, and salts! Apples are a great natural sugar that I enjoy while bike packing, and a well selected protein bar can be a great mid-afternoon snack. On particularly long or strenuous journeys, you can even take soy sauce shots to replenish the salt you lose from sweating. 

Step 7: Lots of water!

Along with food, you need to make sure you have lots of water while bike packing! Wearing a Camelbak or similar hydration system can be immensely helpful, but you also need to make sure that you have at least two full water bottles in the cages of your bike. I usually like to put an electrolyte powder into one of my two water bottles at the start of the day so that I have an additional & easily accessible source of fuel while riding. Make sure to fill up your bottles at every opportunity as well so you always know that you have fresh water available. 

Step 8: Sunscreen, chamois butter

It is important while bike touring to make sure that your body is well taken care of internally but also externally! If you have long days in the saddle, you will want to load up with sunscreen and chamois butter for your long term comfort and safety. 

Step 9: Get Out There and HAVE FUN!

The last and final step is to get out there and have fun!! Bike touring is an incredible and special adventure, no matter where you are riding or your final destination. Take lots of photos and cherish the memories! Bike touring is an incredible way to experience the world and every pedal stroke is a new opportunity!