Bike Camping 101: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Bike Camping? 

Bike camping, also called bike touring or bikepacking, is an exciting outdoor adventure that combines the freedom of riding a bike with the closeness of sleeping out in the open air. People who do it go on multi-day bike trips carrying camping stuff like tents, sleeping bags, and cooking tools on their bikes to wild campsites or wilderness areas that are far away. 

When people go camping the old-fashioned way, they can only get to sites that can be reached by car. But when people go bike camping, they can explore beautiful, remote places that cars can't get to.

Being independent, exploring, and enjoying the ease of living outside are at the heart of bike camping. People who ride bikes enjoy the beauty of nature and feel connected to the places they visit by riding along winding roads, rough trails, and beautiful paths.

Camping on two wheels is an incredible opportunity to escape it all, bond with nature, and create beautiful memories. You can do it by yourself or with a group of other adventurous people.

Bike Camping VS. Traditional Biking?

Camping trips that include biking usually take one of two forms: bike touring or backpacking. One thing they have in common is figuring out how to pack overnight gear onto a bike and then planning the multi-day trip to use it on. Where they differ is in how well they work mechanically and what kinds of terrain they can cross.

Many cyclists enjoy bike camping because it combines physical challenge, excitement, and living outside. Beginners looking for a weekend getaway and experienced bikepackers planning epic cross-country trips enjoy it.

Biking in the traditional sense means riding a bike. Your bike can be used on a road, a bike path, a mountain trail, or rough ground. You don't have to pack for an overnight trip, and you don't have to beat someone or yourself. Biking camping is just a way to enjoy nature.

What Are The Pros & Cons of Bike Camping?

Some people think that camping and riding bikes go together. You can have a lot of unique experiences while riding a motorcycle. This means that a simple bike can make a camping trip even better than it would be otherwise.

Going camping by bike has many benefits:

• Eco-Friendly: You likely like being outside if you like camping. So, keeping the land's beauty is definitely in your best interest. Taking a bike instead of a car is one of the best ways to do this. 

• Healthy Option: Nowadays, almost everyone knows that being outside is good for you. This is one of the best reasons to go camping because it's good for your health. This can be improved quite a bit if you start exercising.

• Explorer More Nature: Nature gives us great opportunities to find and explore. Many of these can't be reached by car, which is a shame. Hiking, however, moves slowly, making it hard to get to the most hidden places. Bicycles are a better way to get around than cars because they are more flexible and faster than walking.

• Low Costs: Urban camping is rare. Still, it does happen, and people who don't camp in towns might spend a day or two there. When this happens, bikes can be a great way to get around the city when public transportation isn't an option or when traffic is terrible. 

• Simple Happiness: Not least but most certainly not least, riding a bike is fun. It's fun to pedal as fast as you can or ride downhill, and a slow ride around the park is the best way to end a lovely camping day.

However, there may be some disadvantages to bike camping:

• Slow Path: Before you go on a trip, remember that you'll need time to get from point A to point B and that the way might only sometimes be fun. As long as you don't care about time and want to move slowly, the fact that bikes are slow won't bother you at all.

• Limited Gear: When you travel, do you like to bring your closet with you? Please don't do it on a bike. You have to share space with many other things, and your gear needs to be kept safe from the weather.  

• Potential Accident: This is the most important one! You'll be riding a bike and sharing the road with other cars. Riding a bike with vehicles will be much more dangerous than you think.   

Bike Camping Gear: What to Pack?

You must plan and prepare beforehand to ensure a safe and fun bike camping time. Before your trip, you should pack efficiently by focusing on small, light items that will keep you from slowing down as you pedal through different landscapes.  

Your bike is your trusty horse, taking you and your gear to remote spots and beautiful places. There are two kinds of gear for bike camping: gear you have to have and gear you would rather have.

Here are some things that you must bring on every trip:

Consider where you are going and which trail(s) you will be riding. Learn about the route to find places to get water, buy bike supplies, and eat along the way. You should book your spot beforehand and pack the things you'll need for your trip. There are also things you will be glad to have:

In addition to tents, sleeping bags, and food gear, it's essential to think about how much power you will need while bike camping. During your trip, the Jackery Solar Generator can provide reliable power to charge your devices, run lights, and keep essential gadgets working.

Jackery Solar Generators for Bike Camping

We've discussed how important a solar generator is for bike camping, especially the Jackery Solar Generator. It has Jackery Solar Panels and a Portable Power Station, so you can use solar power to charge all your devices, like your phone, radio, GPS, light, portable stove, and more. 

The Jackery Solar Generator is small and light, so it's easy to take. You can even put it in your backpack. Remember how vital power is when you're in the woods. A solar generator can help you stay in touch with people and cook outside.

Jackery Solar Generator 500

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 is your ultimate solution for charging low to high-power appliances during extended adventures or as a reliable emergency home backup. Boasting an impressive battery capacity of 518Wh, this power station is designed with convenience in mind. The foldable handle and ergonomic design make it a perfect companion for camping enthusiasts and those seeking a dependable backup power source at home.

Equipped with industry-leading BMS (Battery Management System) technology, the Jackery Solar Generator 500 ensures optimal performance and safety during every use. Its lightweight construction, at just 6.4 kg, adds to its portability, making it extremely easy to carry wherever your journey takes you.

Whether camping, hiking, or preparing for unexpected power outages, the Jackery Solar Generator 500 stands ready to meet your energy needs. Experience the freedom to power various appliances for extended periods, all within a compact and efficient design. 

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a compact powerhouse designed to redefine convenience in outdoor charging. With a substantial capacity of 288Wh and an impressive 300W power output, this portable power station is crafted to meet the diverse energy needs of adventurers on the go. 

Featuring dual PD ports capable of up to 100W output, the Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus supports fast charging for multiple devices simultaneously, offering a versatile and efficient charging solution. Its small dimension and lightweight design make it exceptionally convenient for outdoor charging, providing a reliable power source for your adventures.

Experience the freedom to charge your devices wherever your journey takes you, thanks to the various charging options offered by the Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus. This portable power station combines performance and portability, ensuring your devices stay powered up during outdoor escapades.  

Bike Camping Tips

Bike camping can be as easy as a weekend trip or as big as an adventure that takes you worldwide. Exploring can be done healthily and satisfyingly in either way. You need to plan your trip and think about your safety carefully.

Tip 1# Pick A Type of Tour

Before or during your bike camping, you should think about several things. For example, is this your first time bike camping? What should you bring? The amount of money you have and the time you have to tour.

You can go on the following types of bike camping tours:

Tip 2# Choose The Group Size

You can bike camp by yourself, with friends, or with a trained team. Picking the right group size can affect how much time, work, and pleasure you have on the trip.

Solo Trip: Beginner touring riders can learn basic touring skills and get used to being on the road by going on half or full-day rides. After this, you can go on an overnight tour to better understand what kind of bike tourist you want to be.

Small Group: If you're new to cycling, planning, organising, and leading small groups of two to six people, it is more accessible than big ones. They are also better than touring alone because other riders can help you if you break down, get hurt, or get lost.

Large Group: It can be fun to go on tours with groups of more than six people, but it can take more work to plan them. Beginners should go on tours with more experienced cyclists or with trips already planned out before they plan an extensive tour on their own.

Tip 3# Take More Factors into Consideration

The size of your group and the type of tour you want to plan are the first things you must consider. When you plan your bike camping, keep these things in mind:

Trip Length: For a tour that lasts more than one day, choose a path with several places to stay the night. Ask your group what they want, how much camping experience they have, what gear they pack, and how much money they own. Should you look for a shelter or a place to stay the night?

Time: Time is significant. Finding a place to stay at certain times of the year is challenging (like holidays and the summer); it is just like traffic is worse at certain times of the day (like rush hour).

Weather: Biking tours are best when it's sunny and cool outside. But headwinds, rain, or temperatures that are too hot or cold can make a fun ride into a long one. Find out what the usual weather is like where you're going.

Route: It's easier to get help if you need it if your route is close to towns and bike shops. Make plans for your first tour to be close to home or another bustling area.

Terrain: You can enjoy bike travel on almost any surface. But first-timers should stick to mostly flat roads.

Tip 4# Camping Responsibly

Since there aren't any toilets or trash cans, it's up to us campers to leave as little of an effect on the land and wildlife as possible.

Camping Spot: Choose places already used or camp on hard surfaces like bare dirt to protect plants. If you sleep right next to water sources, the waste from your camp will pollute the water and keep animals from coming to drink.

Trash: Everything should be packed up. Not only does that include plastic bags and food wrappers, but it also includes apple cores, orange peels, and peanut shells.

Human Wastes: There's a way to poop in the woods that you should know. Begin by excavating a hole at least 7 inches in depth, ensuring it is approximately 100 yards from any water source and in a location unlikely to be stumbled upon by fellow campers. Once you're done, please put something in the hole and stomp on it with your foot to make sure your business is buried for good. 

Water: Bikers who are thirsty and the animals and plants around them need water to live. Never put soap or other chemicals straight into a water source. This will protect the whole ecosystem. Bring the wash water at least 200 feet away from where it comes from and dump it there.

Tip 5# Safety Concerns

When camping on a bike trip, you should immediately remember your safety. If you're not careful, you might believe that the worst things could never happen to you. But they do.  

• Always wear a helmet, goggles, and clothes that make you stand out.
• Do not ride with headphones on. Hearing what's happening around you is as important as seeing what's ahead and behind you. Add a backup mirror to your bike or helmet.
• You should have a headlight and a flashing backlight. The second option makes you much more visible to cars behind you.
• Be extra careful in certain lighting conditions, like when you're riding east towards the rising sun, which could make it hard for cars going the same way to see you.
• Make it a habit to check your bike every morning for things like loose bolts, brakes that need adjusting, and tyres that aren't filled enough.
• Stay legal when you camp: you can only stay the night at official sites, on public lands that allow dispersed camping, or on private property where you have permission to camp.
  

Bike Camping FAQs

The following are the most frequently asked questions about bike camping in Australia:

1. 1. How do you camp with a bike?

Planning and packing carefully are needed to ensure you have all the gear you need for a nice camping trip with your bike. First, choose a camping set that is sturdy and light. This should include a small tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking stove, and other necessary camping gear.

Next, plan your route, pick campsites you can get to by bike, and have services like water sources and bathrooms, if available.  

Lastly, lock up your bike and gear at night to keep them from getting stolen or damaged, and remember to leave no trace while you're camping to have the most minor effect on the environment.

2. 2. Where do you put a sleeping bag on a bike?

People often put their sleeping bag in a waterproof compression or stuff sack and use straps or bungee cords to attach it to the bike's handlebars, back rack, or frame. You can also store the sleeping bag in a saddle or frame bag for bikepacking that fits snugly in the bike's frame or under the seat.  

3. 3. Is bike camping worth it?

No matter how good you are at bike riding, bikepacking can be a fun and memorable outdoor journey. When you combine the freedom of riding with the simplicity and independence of camping, backpacking is a more immersive and flexible experience than traditional bike touring or backpacking.

Final Thoughts

Bike camping is an excellent option for cyclists' friends, partners, and families. It's faster than hiking and lets you get to dirt roads and tracks that other cars can't. You can also sleep outside. Because you care about safety, you might bring a Jackery Solar Generator to charge your tools.