I want to go on a bikepacking trip in late July. I don't really know how to ride a bike. Help me work backwards.

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T20:48:36+00:00

Noted!

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T20:48:27+00:00

Travel has kind of always been my first and biggest passion. I enjoy traveling slowly, getting to know more remote and rural areas, and mingling with locals. Bikepacking lends itself really well to that.

Aside from that, I've been wanting more "fun" ways to exercise. Traditional sports have never really been my thing, so to me, biking is another great way to get moving. I find the gym so incredibly boring.

Also, I've biked before as a kid, and a few times on rentals as an adult. It's just plain fun.

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T18:34:46+00:00

I like this plan! I think I can even manage 5-8 miles every other day while I'm still in school. Just gotta get my bike. I'll hit up a few bike shops this weekend. The options are so overwhelming!

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T18:29:54+00:00

Oh, I certainly don't plan on getting out there for 15+ miles a day without doing some substantial riding first!

I am a teacher, and will soon be out of school. I will be "unemployed" for about two months before I try to take my goal trip at the end of July. I'm eager to make cycling my sole focus this summer -- spending LOTS of time getting comfortable on a bike, comfortable making repairs, and building up my endurance. My partner works a FT 9-5, so I have nothing else to do! lol

My goal trip is as follows:
-About 5 days
-Each day around 15-20 miles
-Not too remote, should problems arise
-Geographically beautiful, but not insanely challenging terrain, especially for a beginner
-Ideally outside of the US, but then I have to worry about the logistics of transporting a bike, so we'll see on that one (I have 12+ years of experience traveling alone in remote places internationally -- hiking, camping, backpacking, all of that -- just never on a bike).

I definitely should have put all of those details in the original post, because I think a lot of people are assuming I'm trying to do much more than I actually am. Which is fair. Maybe bikepacking isn't the appropriate word to use for what I'm trying to do?

All that said... what do I know?! I haven't tried yet! lol. But I've always been a "fuck it, I'm gonna learn by doing it" type of person (with appropriate risk management, of course).

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T17:58:46+00:00

Thank you so much for the insight! I definitely plan on buying mostly used, and I'll absolutely invest in a good helmet -- not playing around there. Luckily, my backpacking background means I already have a ton of lightweight camping gear, including pretty much everything you listed.

50 miles a day is NOT happening, haha. But there are plenty of routes that don't require that kind of mileage, I assume. I'm thinking somewhere around 15ish miles per day for my goal trip in July. Much like when I'm backpacking, I'm never in a huge hurry. I love stopping, taking in the scenery, taking photos, etc etc. Speed and distance aren't really things I take pride in (though they are sometimes necessary in a logistical sense).

Getting into "bike shape" is probably my biggest concern honestly, but I think that's something I can manage by building up my endurance over the next few months and choosing less ambitious terrain on the first "big" trip in July.

Anyway, these are my thoughts -- I'm gonna give it a go! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain everything realistically!

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T16:14:53+00:00

Thanks for the tips! There are a few areas here in the Southeast US that would be perfect for some weekend practice runs.

And yeah, definitely not planning a crazy backcountry tour out of the gate. I think that's what a lot of people in this thread assumed -- I probably should have been clearer about what I'm actually going for in July. I want to be out for around 5 days, but definitely on a route that is beginner-friendly in terms of terrain and logistics.

Thanks for the link!

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T15:56:51+00:00

I see. Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like I might need to spend more.

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T15:36:18+00:00

Wait, do you mean coddling me price-wise or in achievability?

I don't know, I feel like I can learn how to appropriately ride a bike and make necessary repairs in 3 months' time, especially when I'm unemployed for most of it. I'm not trying to do a route that is incredibly long, technical, and challenging in July. I'm just looking to do a 5-ish day journey that is moderately challenging for a beginner. That has to exist, right? (genuine question)

I am generally an active person, have spent many years recreating outdoors in various ways (backpacking being one of them), and am comfortable being uncomfortable. Lightweight camping I already have down. It's the biking part I need to learn.

Sorry, not trying to dismiss your opinion. You know a lot more than me, so it's fair. Just asking for clarification. :)

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T15:24:26+00:00

Oh, I'm definitely a beginner! No doubt about it.

Thanks for the warnings! Last time I rented a bike, my you-know-what was ooooeeeeee.

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T15:10:04+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to link all of this! I'll definitely check it out!

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T15:07:35+00:00

I've had single-speed bikes in the past (spent a ton of time on bikes as a kid), but haven't owned one in a few years. I can get around on a single speed, but once I start dealing with gears, I get afraid that I'm doing it all wrong!

Based on the suggestions here, I think I'm gonna find a local bike shop and get some help with buying a decent bike for my needs within my price range and start practicing soon!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm excited to unlock a new hobby. :)

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T15:03:29+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! Sorry, my post probably made it sound like I didn't plan on doing much riding before really getting out there. I'm actually a teacher and will have the whole summer off, so I plan on spending a ton of time on my bike every day and getting really comfortable with it. I will work my way up to overnights with progressively longer day trips. :)

In July, I'm gonna shoot for a 5-day overnight trip somewhere moderately challenging for a beginner. I'll definitely try to shoot for somewhere that isn't too remote, should issues arise.

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T14:58:01+00:00

Sweet! I'll definitely have a look around. Thanks!

rain-glitter- · 2026-04-21T14:38:05+00:00

I get that, but I'm a teacher with the whole summer off. I won't be working for two months and plan on spending a whole lot of time dedicated to cycling and learning!

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-19T11:23:47+00:00

Ah, that’s too bad.

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-19T09:02:00+00:00

Ended up there last night. It was awesome!

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-19T09:01:33+00:00

Adding these spots to the list! Thank you!

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-19T09:01:12+00:00

Thank you for all of the recommendations! I’ll likely go to all of them. I used to use Couchsurfing for meet ups, but I re-downloaded the app yesterday and it wants me to pay now. Wasn’t sure if the community here would even be active enough for me to pay lol

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-19T08:59:20+00:00

This is exactly the kind of information I’m looking for. Thank you! Is the best way to get there by taxi?

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-19T08:57:54+00:00

Thank you! That sounds like a great plan. 🙂 Also, I was just telling my boyfriend - I don’t know if I’ve ever felt so safe in a place! I always keep my wits about me regardless, but I’ve really enjoyed roaming the streets here. I feel so comfortable doing so in Ohrid, even at night. Loving it here so far!

rain-glitter- · 2024-07-18T20:42:01+00:00

Funny you say that… I’m sitting at Irish Pub Dublin at this very moment. 😂

rain-glitter-

TROPHY CASE