Where the rubber leaves the road and the journey is the destination itself. Beginning with the turn of a pedal, the noise of the world falls away, and everything you need moves with you.
Bikepacking—a hybrid of camping, backpacking and cycling—was once a travel niche known only by the hardiest of adventurers. But now a community is evolving, and fans warn that, although not for the faint-hearted, it is “seriously addictive.”
Katherine Martin, a seasoned bikepacker from New Zealand, has scaled the length of her home country on the saddle. Having peddalled along coastlines and atop the rolling terrains of Aotearoa, including some gruelling ascents Martin aptly named “F-off hills”, she is seduced by the challenge.
“It gives a sense of freedom and vulnerability. It teaches me how to push physical and mental boundaries and to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Katherine Martin
Martin is not alone in her love of the challenge.
Ten years ago, Australian teacher Nathan North decided to try something new when he joined a group ride with friends to the summit of Tasmania’s alpine plateau, Ben Lomond. The choice led him to what he describes as “the most brutal day of cycling I’d experienced at the time.”
Rather than being deterred, North was hooked. He says: “Something stuck with me. I loved the pace, the minimalism and the DIY approach — carrying everything you need and nothing more.”
Since that first ride, North has bikepacked over 30,000km across South America, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia, and he wouldn’t travel any other way.
“It’s simple, raw and immersive. You experience everything: the wind, the sun, the mountains, sunsets, even shooting stars. It’s the perfect way to connect with a landscape and feel like you are accomplishing something incredible.”
Nathan North
Unlike conventional bike touring, bikepacking gives way to multi-day adventures on routes less travelled by surrendering the need for support vehicles and paved roads.
Yet as tyre tracks extend further into remote and often fragile landscapes, the rise of bikepacking has not been without scrutiny. Concerns around environmental degradation, particularly in near-pristine regions, have prompted a growing emphasis on responsible travel. Many in the community now advocate for ‘Leave No Trace’ principles, encouraging riders to minimise their impact by sticking to established trails, respecting local ecosystems and carrying out all waste, ensuring these wild places remain as they were found.
Despite the criticism, with traveller planning behaviours increasingly shaped by budget considerations and reported growth in the active travel and adventure formats, the popularity of bikepacking is seeing a surge. North can attest, saying the trend has “taken off like wildfire,” opening a network of adventurers hoping to experience the world as authentically as possible.
Both he and Martin attribute the accessibility of bikepacking to its growing popularity, with travellers young and old giving it a go.
“The range in ages is something I love most about it. It’s so accessible and brings people of all life stages together. Nothing to talk about? No stress! Just talk about your bike or what you saw on the trail that day,” Martin says.
“I’ve seen everything from families with babies strapped in the front to 80-year-olds still going strong riding up the Andes.”
Nathan North
But the benefits of bikepacking exceeds the forging of memories and friendships, with North crediting his adventures for a refreshed approach to life. He says: “My rides have inspired me to live more intentionally and to pursue a life rich in experiences.”
And despite the trend gaining traction, its authenticity remains intact. North says: “Regardless of the hype, the experience remains the same. Wake up, ride your bike through beautiful places, stay present and sleep content knowing that you’re living your best life.”