Bikepacking in New Zealand

Bikepacking is pretty much cycle-backpacking; a freeing way to see the world, reconnecting with the great outdoors, travelling tracks and trails, carrying enough supplies to support yourself on your all-terrain ride.

It’s not about perfection, it’s about getting out there, giving it a go and having lots of experiences along the way.

Be kind to yourself. There are no prizes for roughing it and if you get a better night’s sleep because you had one night in a real bed along the way, or carried a blow-up pillow, then chances are you will be a happier peddler for it.

One thing you can be sure of, preparation is essential.

A good idea is to start off with an overnight trip to see if you like it. You may well fall in love with bikepacking and can work up to tackling the ultimate adventures: Tour Aotearoa and Kopiko Aotearoa.

LESS IS BEST

Minimalist packing equates to better handling and manoeuvrability, meaning a happier rider and a less strained bike. The trick is to pack smart. Some items can do multiple jobs, while some you can simply do without. You’ll only be able to carry half that of a tramping trip, aim for 10kg.

SLEEPING GEAR

A down sleeping bag packs up very small. Sleep mats are so lightweight and small it’s not worth the discomfort of doing without. If you are camping, then a lightweight tent is essential. Single skin tents are lighter but suffer from condensation; double skin will offer more comfort but added weight. Check out Lanna solar lights; they pack down flat and are solar-powered.

CLOTHING

Wear your bike shorts with padded undershorts – do not skip these! Pack two short sleeved and one long sleeved merino top; cool in summer, warm in winter and can handle a lot of wears. Two pairs of merino socks and one pair of long pants for night will keep you warm. A lightweight down jacket packs up small and doubles as a pillow, but will get cold if wet, so you will need a rain jacket with a hood as well – preferably one with sealed seams.

Shoes should be flexible and comfortable with a good tread, as you aren’t always going to be on your bike. Slides are great for evenings and better than jandals, as you can still wear your socks and they have thicker soles.

Bike gloves with padded palms offer relief and protect your hands if you fall off your bike.

Pack sunglasses and a buff/ bandana to keep the sun out of your eyes and off your neck. Dip the buff into water on hot days to help cool you down and wear it around you head or neck at night for added warmth.

FOOD & WATER

Dehyrated food is your friend. Anything you can just add water to is ideal and that includes milk powder for cereal and hot drinks. Freeze-dried or dehydrated fruits are perfect add-ins, also trail mix and nuts. Syphon off items into ziplock bags to help keep packaging weight down. Aim to stock up along the way and not carry everything you need for the whole trip. Don’t forget a stove, lighter, fuel, cup, bowl and spork.

Water volume is very much dependent on the trip you have planned. If you know there are places to get some along the way, then carry enough for one day. If unsure, bring more and maybe consider water purification tablets so you can collect water in unpopulated areas.

SAFETY & HYGIENE

A helmet, front and rear lights are essential and a headlamp (LED is best) with spare batteries, a phone with rechargeable battery pack, first aid kit with pain relief, antiseptic cream, hand sanitiser, sunscreen and insect repellent. Take toilet paper in a ziplock bag, a quick dry towel (or sarong, also good as a sheet on a hot night). Breaking a toothbrush in half saves on space!

TOOLS & BIKE BITS

You need a small tool bag with two spare tubes, plus tyre lever and quality handpump. Add a puncture repair kit, spare brake pads, tyre boot, hex keys, chain breaker and spare chain link. Also pack a small bottle of lube, small fold-up knife with pliers, cable ties and duct tape.

Bikepacking © Marek Piwnicki

DON’T BRING

BIKE TRAILER You’re likely to fill it up making it unnecessarily heavy and there is more to go wrong eg extra tyres to worry about.

MULTI-TOOLS Just take the full-size tools you really need. Multi-tools have smaller instruments and can be difficult to use in hard-to-reach places.

CO2 Adds to your weight, so just take a really goodquality hand-pump.

RACE SHOES Stiff and uncomfortable on long trips and no good for offbike time.

COTTON CLOTHES Cotton takes ages to dry and can start to smell. Go merino.

SINGLE USE PACKAGING Because you will have planned the trip, you’ll have time to prep and store your own snacks.

NEW UNTESTED PRODUCTS Take the things you use regularly and are comfortable using. It’s the worst time to find out you brought something you don’t need or like.

BIG BACKPACK Yes, it does mean you can carry more but the weight of it will travel straight to your seat, and you’ll really feel that. If you must have a backpack, make it small!

Bikepacking © Marek Piwnicki

WHAT TO PACK WHERE

BEHIND SEAT PACK Think of this as your night time bag. Heaviest items such as sleeping bags and sleep mats go at the bottom. Your towel, toiletries, thermal jacket, spare clothes and jandals go here, too.

UNDER SEAT POUCH Ideal for your first aid and tool kit, as they are quick to reach in an emergency.

FRAME PACK Best for heavy items, as this will centre the weight load and help to stop the back end of the bike fishtailing as you ride. Water and food can be kept here.

HANDLEBAR BAG Think of this as your all-day bag. Keep your water bottle, camera, phone, rain jacket, toilet paper, sunscreen and day snacks here.

UNDER THE HANDLEBARS If camping, your lightweight tent can be strapped above the front wheel.

Carrying a water bladder on your back seems ideal but save yourself the body aches and carry water on the bike frame.

Bikepacking © Marek Piwnicki