What is bikepacking? Backpacking is the blend of cycling and minimalist camping, allowing adventurers to explore remote areas under their own power with everything they need strapped to their bikes. Unlike traditional touring, which often uses panniers and racks, bikepacking relies on lightweight, frame-mounted bags to keep gear compact and balanced—ideal for more rugged trails and off-road conditions. Whether you’re doing an overnight trip or a multi-day adventure, bikepacking is as much about the freedom of the ride as it is about disconnecting and finding solitude in nature.

How to do it? Essentially, it is all about strapping stuff to your bike, as much as possible but I always started with a backpack.

Great places to strap gear: Handlebars - A tent and sleeping pad can be easily strapped to the front of the handlebars. Grunt straps from Bunnings are great to acheive this and I have a few spare. Saddle bag - A saddle bag also allows you to carry a sleeping bag

Inside the frame - water can be easily carried in bottle cages. Tent poles and other skinny long things can be strapped to the top tube of the frame

Front and rear racks - A rack is also great for providing additional real estate to pack stuff. I love front racks.

But generally whatever food and other items that cant be strapped can be carried in a backpack.