Maintenance
The Broken Chain Reality: Field Repair Basics for Rocky Tech
A broken chain is a mechanical death sentence in the backcountry. Learn the basics of field repair, including how to use a chain tool and master links.
Bikepacking Guides & Resources
Knowledge weighs nothing.
Packing the right gear is half the battle. Knowing how to use it is the rest. We curated these Guides to help you transition from day rides to multi-day expeditions.
Topics Covered
- Packing Lists: What to bring and what to leave behind.
- Route Planning: Finding safe and scenic gravel roads.
- Maintenance: Field repairs when you are 50 miles from a bike shop.
Our curated lists below cover the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
Start with an 'S24O' (Sub-24-Hour Overnighter). Ride 20 miles from home, camp, and ride back. You'll learn more in one night about what you actually need than reading 100 blogs. Don't overthink the route.
How fit do I need to be?
Not as fit as you think. Touring is about patience, not wattage. If you can ride 30 miles in a day, you can go bikepacking. Just gear down and spin. The distance takes care of itself.
Essential vs. Luxury?
Essentials keep you alive (Sleep system, Shelter, Repair kit, Water). Luxuries keep you sane (Camp shoes, Coffee kit, AeroPress, kindle). Pack your essentials first. If space remains, add one luxury.
How to plan a route?
Use tools like Komoot or RideWithGPS. Look for established routes like the GDMBR or local gravel loops. Check heatmaps to see where others ride. Always have reliable offline maps on a Wahoo/Garmin.