We invite you to join us on an overnight Introduction to Bikepacking event led by the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance on April 1 and 2. We'll ride up the east side of the Deschutes River starting from the Columbia River on an easy gravel path (shown here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41351155). After riding about 11 miles we'll camp for the night and return the next day. There are options for even more miles of riding each day.
We define bikepacking as multi-day adventuring mostly on unpaved roads and trails. The goal is to avoid the crowds and head off into places where the natural world is central.
Along the way we'll talk about how to plan and pull off a future bikepacking trip of your own. Topics include:
Carrying gear on a bike
Water quantity and treatment
Food and cooking
Flat tire repair
Other bicycle repairs
Riding comfort
Clothing
Camping gear
Selecting camping spots
Riding in the cold
Riding in the heat
First aid
Threatening wild and domestic animals
Bugs
Human waste disposal
GPS and map navigation
Dealing with other riders, hikers, and horseback riders
Biking photography
Attitude, adversity, and enjoyment
This trip is limited to 12 participants. We'll have three experienced bikepackers leading the event so the total group size will be no more than 15.
To be a part of this event, you should
Be 18 years of age or older
Be fit enough to ride at least 10 miles a day for two days in a row
Have some experience riding a bike on non-paved surfaces
Be able show up with a suitable bike (mountain bike or gravel bike; sorry, no e-bikes) and basic gear. We may be able to help you out with the loan of bags or panniers to carry gear on your bike.
After registering for the event, you'll receive a confirmation email within a week. Those who register earliest will be given first preference to attend the event, although we’ll adjust this to have a representative mix of genders. We’ll let you know details about what to bring, where and when to meet, and information about your guides.
This event is full. Keep an eye out for more similar events in 2023