1. CHOOSE A COOL ROUTE 

Bikepacking.com makes choosing a cool route very easy. They have a host of bikepacking routes all over the world with all the important details for planning your trip. Our crew rode the Olympic Bridges Overnighter in the Olympic National Forest. This is a very cool route entirely on logging roads that winds through dense old forests and up along scenic ridges. There are multiple swimming holes along the way and the route features two old railroad bridges. High Steel Bridge is still accessible and is the tallest railroad bridge in the US stretching over 350’ above the Skokomish River below. Very cool.

2. IT'S GOING TO BE A TON OF (TYPE II) FUN

You’re going to get dirty and sweaty and sleep on the ground. If you go with the right crew you’ll be laughing through all the little hardships you experience along the way. Modern western life has stripped basically all physical hardships from us except for the ones we volunteer for. Prove to yourself you’re up for the challenge.

3. PACK LIGHT - DUH

On our particular route we started with a short ride out to one of the aforementioned rail bridges and then came back to the car. I immediately realized on this short ride that I had too much weight. I dumped a bunch of food I packed and left behind my heavyweight hoodie. You would be wise to calculate the calories you are likely to consume and don’t pack beyond that. As for the hoodie, consider using your sleeping bag as a blanket to keep you warm before going to bed.

4. BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST

One guy in our crew got multiple flat tires on our trip. Be sure to bring extra tubes, patch kits, and necessary bike tools. Make sure someone in your crew has some experience fixing bike stuff. Also a small first aid kit would be wise, you don’t need it until you do!

5. KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING

We lost cell service shortly into our trip and were surprised to find so many opportunities to get lost. Study your route beforehand and download maps or bring GPS devices as necessary depending on the complexity of your route.