Recently the organisers of the Rebel Ride, an awesome women’s ride along the Waikato River, asked me for some tips for newbies. If I could go back in time to when I started bikepacking, what advice would I give myself?
- That thing you are worried about will actually be fine. This is my top tip. Every event I have done, my primary worries never materialised (while the things that actually proved tough weren’t even on my worry radar…)
- Focus more on your body and mind than on your bike and gear. It’s easy to obsess about your set up but really anything can work. Training is more important. That means training your body on the hard stuff like climbs and long(ish) days. But just as importantly, it means training your mind to realise that bikepacking will sometimes feel hard and that’s ok (it’s hard for everyone!). Your mind can be your bikepacking superpower.
- Don’t hesitate to enter events solo. You won’t be lonely – I always found people to ride with along the way if I wanted company. Often people who plan to ride together struggle due to different paces or expectations.
- Pare your gear down as much as possible. Not only does riding a lighter bike feel better but the fewer things you have, the easier they are to keep track of. If you’re debating whether to take something, don’t.
- You can do more than you think. Much much more. (see tip 2 re mind). Things that seem outlandish when you start out will soon become normal.
- Drink at least 350mL an hour (more if hot). A tip I keep relearning…
- Things that work well for me (but might not for you): two pairs of shorts (wear one, wash/dry one); flat pedals (Catalyst – significantly improved toe numbness); aerobars or bar ends (ditto hand numbness); using a disc or cup not tampons (less bulky to carry, much more capacity, no rubbish); savoury snacks (like toasted and squashed bagels with cheese); SOS rehydration sachets; 2.35″ tyres; Biomaxa chafing cream (apply 2-3 times a day!); Squirt chain lube.
- If you can tolerate the lows, the highs far outweigh them. You might get addicted! (and if you do, there is an awesome community waiting for you).
Of course once I’d sent this in, I thought of more tips. The thing I love about bikepacking racing is you are always learning… So some bonus tips.
- Lower tyre pressure is your friend. Watch those Youtube videos that explain why it’s actually no slower! I usually run 22/24 in events and always drop pressure for MTB sections (to around 16/18). Lower tyre pressure helps prevent saddle sores, hand numbness and general fatigue.
- I love having a helmet mirror. Helps you watch out for big trucks, other riders and magpies.
- If you are a woman doing endurance sport, especially if you’re a vegetarian, get your iron levels tested. Regularly. More to come on this when I get round to writing up my GSB scratch experience.