Explore the best cycling and bike touring routes in Raleigh, from scenic greenways to wooded trails and smooth city rides—perfect for a vacation on two wheels.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR BIKEPACKING IN REMOTE AREAS?
Bikepacking through remote areas is the ultimate test of self-sufficiency, endurance, and exploration. Unlike casual rides or urban touring, venturing into isolated trails or wilderness demands meticulous planning and the right mindset. With no quick access to stores, signal, or shelter, your preparation determines your safety and success. This guide walks you through how to plan, pack, and ride for bikepacking trips in remote environments—balancing survival essentials with ride efficiency and adventure spirit.
Understand the challenges of remote bikepacking
Bikepacking in remote areas goes beyond regular touring. You’ll face unpredictable weather, rugged terrain, limited water sources, and zero cell service. Planning isn’t just about where to ride—it’s about how to survive if something goes wrong. Riders must be mentally and physically prepared for solitude, mechanical breakdowns, navigation without signals, and wild encounters.
What makes it remote?
Remote doesn’t always mean extreme, but it typically involves areas far from services or help. This includes backcountry routes, deserts, mountain passes, or regions with limited road access. Think of places where you could ride a full day without seeing another person, car, or resupply point. Planning ahead and riding within your limits becomes critical.
No cell reception or Wi-Fi for navigation or calls
Unpredictable terrain—sand, snow, rock, or river crossings
Limited access to clean water and food sources
Wildlife or insect threats (bears, snakes, mosquitoes)
Extreme weather shifts (heatwaves, storms, cold nights)
Risks and rewards
The solitude and beauty of remote bikepacking are unmatched, but they come with real risks. Mechanical failure, injury, or even just running out of water can quickly escalate. But with thoughtful preparation, you gain confidence, resilience, and freedom to explore untouched landscapes few ever reach.
Gear and bike setup for the wild
Your gear can make or break a remote bikepacking trip. Unlike supported tours, you’re carrying everything—food, tools, water, shelter. That means optimizing weight, durability, and versatility. Choose your setup based on distance, terrain, and available resupply. Everything should serve a clear purpose and survive harsh conditions.
Bike and bag considerations
Your bike should be rugged, reliable, and serviceable in the field. Hardtail mountain bikes or gravel bikes with wide tires are the go-to for remote terrain. For gear, frame bags, saddle packs, and handlebar rolls balance weight better than panniers on technical trails. Waterproof and abrasion-resistant materials are a must.
Tires: Tubeless, puncture-resistant with spares/sealant
Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes preferred for easy repairs
Drivetrain: 1x setups minimize complexity
Suspension: Hardtail preferred for lighter maintenance
Bags: Go for modular, weatherproof designs with compression
Essential gear list for remote trips
In the backcountry, you need tools for survival, not just comfort. Pack for redundancy in critical items like navigation, fire, food, and water. Here’s a gear shortlist for off-grid travel:
Shelter: Ultralight tent or bivy + sleeping bag
Navigation: GPS device, paper maps, compass
Tools: Multi-tool, spare links, lube, zip ties, patch kit
Cooking: Small stove, fuel, lighter, pot, utensils
Safety: First aid kit, emergency whistle, headlamp
Every gram matters, but don’t skimp on the basics that can save your trip—or your life.
Navigation, food, water, and survival planning
In remote areas, you must be your own support team. That means planning for food caches, water sources, and shelter days before departure. GPS is helpful, but redundancy is key. Knowing how to read terrain and stay oriented without technology can be a literal lifesaver.
Navigation strategy
Use a combination of digital and analog tools. Download offline maps (Komoot, Gaia GPS, Ride with GPS) and carry topographic paper maps for backup. A dedicated GPS device with a long battery life is more reliable than a smartphone alone. Mark potential bailout points and campsites before departure.
Test GPS tools and apps before leaving
Preload routes and key waypoints
Practice compass skills in advance
Note areas with potential signal drop
Food, water, and resupply tactics
You’ll need calorie-dense food that travels well and can be prepared with minimal gear. Go for dehydrated meals, nut butters, oats, energy bars, and electrolyte tablets. Water is more complex: use a combination of water bottles and bladders, along with purification tools like filters, chlorine tabs, or UV pens. Always overestimate your water needs.
Aim for 3,000–5,000 calories per day depending on route
Resupply every 2–4 days if possible
Carry a minimum of 3–5 liters of water capacity
Identify water sources and backups before launch
Emergency plans and survival prep
Bring a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger like Garmin inReach for emergencies. Have a written itinerary left with a contact at home. Learn basic first aid, how to treat dehydration, and how to handle mechanical failures alone. Pack for sudden cold or heat, and know how to set up camp quickly in changing conditions.
The more self-reliant your system, the more freedom you have to explore the remote corners of the world—confidently and safely.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED
