Bikepacking is an amazing way to explore new places, but long days on the saddle can sometimes get a little dull. To keep your rides exciting and memorable, here are 7 expert tips to beat boredom on bikepacking adventures.

1. Choose a route that excites you

fishermens trail portugal bikepacking guide solo — Craving a cycling route with beautiful coastal views? Then the Fishermen’s Trail (Portugal) is for you

Your bikepacking journey changes completely based on the route and scenery you ride through. For that reason, it helps to first consider what you generally enjoy, since all terrains have their own unique benefits.

When cycling in mountainous or hilly areas, you will inevitably struggle at times, especially when carrying a lot of luggage. However, every climb comes with the reward of an eventual descent, not to mention the breathtaking views they offer.

On the other hand, cycling along the coast or rivers typically creates a more relaxed atmosphere. You’ll also likely find campsites more easily, and since coastal areas are usually more densely populated, you’re more likely to come across restaurants, cafés, or guesthouses.

When you’re curious about a place, the challenges of long-distance cycling, tired legs, bad weather, steep climbs, feel way easier to deal with.

One page I find really useful to search for routes or inspiration is Bikepacking.com This website offers many well-documented routes, trip reports, and practical tips from other bikepacking enthusiasts.

Are you planning to do a big cycling trip? Then Eurovelo.com is for you.

Already have a specific region in mind? There’s a good chance someone else has had the same idea and shared their experience on Google. Also, these are often the most honest and insightful guides.

beat boredom on bikepacking adventures

My personal go-to approach

What works well for me is adding excitement points, so things to look forward to.

These can be tackling a sturdy pass, riding through a mountain range, or including any section that pushes you a little further. This will make your ride more engaging.

At the same time, I make sure to plan my route around places that match my personal interests. For me these are national parks, historic towns, scenic viewpoints and photography focused stops.

For example, on my very first bikepacking trip in the southwest of France, I planned a route that let me explore the country’s fascinating World War II history. Along the way, I rode past the beaches of Normandy, visited old bunkers, and stopped at sites where major battles took place.

2. Focus on the journey, not the destination

Beat Boredom on Bikepacking Adventures breakawaywithbart — Don’t forget to pause and appreciate the beauty around you

Sometimes when cycling, and I’ve done this myself, it’s easy to get caught up in covering as many kilometers as possible.

You start measuring your day by distance rather than experiences, ticking off kilometers as if it’s a checklist.

In doing so, it’s easy to forget to actually enjoy the journey.

Unless you’re participating in a race like the Transcontinental Race or the Tour Divide, you’re not competing against anyone. There’s no prize for the longest day, and it doesn’t really matter how far you ride.

Real joy is found not at the finish line, but in the moments along the way.

The last thing you want is to reach the end of your trip and realize you never truly experienced it, because your mind was always on the next checkpoint.

Some of the best memories come from the little things; pausing for a scenic view, chatting with people, exploring a quiet village, or simply enjoying a coffee break at a roadside café.

These moments are what make a bikepacking trip memorable, not the number of kilometers you cover.

beat boredom on bikepacking adventures

For those new to bikepacking, I’ve created a guide on 5 common beginner bikepacking mistakes, including why obsessing over kilometers is one of the biggest traps to avoid.

3. Document your adventure

Another great way to make the ride more fun is to look for the best spots to take pictures along the way. Pausing to capture the scenery gives you a moment to appreciate the beauty around you in the moment.

Try photographing the highlights of your ride, and later, create a photo album from them. This creates a beautiful, tangible memory of your journey that you can revisit anytime.

Take the time to record your adventures. One day those photos will be your favorite souvenirs of the road.

Filming is great if you enjoy storytelling or want to capture your journey more vividly. You can also use the clips to create Reels or TikTok videos.

Creating videos can make your trip come alive for others and relive the moments yourself, but keep in mind that they use lots of storage and take longer to edit than photos.

In the end, it’s about choosing what works best for you. Whether that’s a photo album, a video, or maybe even both!

4. Add challenges and excitement points

Here’s how I personally applied this during my journey from home to Venice. I had a few key points I was especially looking forward to. These were;

Crossing borders with Belgium, Germany, Austria and Italy
Reaching the highest point of the ride
The first glimpse of the Austrian Alps
Reaching Venice

Each of these moments gave me something to aim for and made the journey feel more exciting along the way.

On any trip, there will always be a few places or highlights that stand out, things you’re genuinely excited about. Make a note of these when planning your route.

That way, each time you reach one, you’ll have a new goal to look forward to. It’s simple, but it’s a great way to stay motivated and keep the excitement alive throughout your bikepacking journey.

Ideas for excitement points

Cycling the first 100, 500, 1,000 kilometers
Reaching the highest point of the trip
Meeting a friend or family member
Seeing the ocean again after a long inland stretch
Attending an event or festival
Crossing a border

beat boredom on bikepacking adventures

5. Cycle with a friend or family member

Some people prefer to cycle alone, enjoying the freedom and solitude of the open road. Others prefer to share the journey with someone else, and that can be just as rewarding. It’s a personal choice, and there’s no right or wrong.

If you enjoy companion on your rides, you can ask friends or family members to join.

Cycling together has several advantages:

You make long lasting memories together
Riding together lets you benefit from each other’s experience and skills
You have someone to talk to, which make long stretches more enjoyable
You can support each other
When stopping at a shop, there’s always someone to look after the bikes, which makes breaks less stressful

If no one in your circle is interested, you can try online communities, such as Facebook groups and local cycling clubs. They might have members who are also looking for others to ride with.

beat boredom on bikepacking adventures

6. Read, watch, listen

Another way to beat boredom on bikepacking adventures is to

Listen to music
Podcasts
Audio books
Watch Series / Movies / YouTube

If you choose to read a physical book, remember that you’ll need a source of light in your dark tent. Therefore, an e-reader is perfect for bikepacking—it’s lightweight, takes up far less space than physical books, and doesn’t require an external light source to read in the dark. I made two posts about the best gifts for bikepackers, you can find them here:

10 Best Affordable Bikepacking Gifts For Men and Women

9 Best Gifts For Bikepackers: Gifts They Will Love

Nowadays, many audio books are available online. You can even find a good selection of free audio books on platforms like Spotify.

Watching a series, movie, or YouTube video is another option. If you plan to watch videos, make sure to download them in advance. Mobile coverage can be unreliable in remote areas, and you don’t want your video freezing every few seconds.

Finally, I recommend bringing a pair of earbuds. They’re perfect for cycling through less scenic stretches, allowing you to enjoy a podcast, audio book, or music along the way.

Certain songs can even feel extra nostalgic when you return home, instantly reminding you of your trip.

beat boredom on bikepacking adventures

7. Meet fellow bikepackers on the road

Another great way to stay engaged during your cycling trip is to meet other cycling enthusiasts.

During my travels, I’ve noticed that literally every bikepacker I met was friendly, helpful, and always open for a chat. Sharing experiences with fellow riders can make your journey more enjoyable and memorable.

One way to meet others is to plan your route along popular cycling paths. Certain routes naturally attract more bikepackers, so you’re likely to encounter like-minded travelers along the way. You can find popular bikepacking routes on this website EuroVelo.

Another option is using the app WarmShowers, which is designed for bikepackers. Through this app, you can reach out to other cycling enthusiasts and ask if you can spend the night at their place, making it a great way to connect and share stories.

Meeting fellow cyclists not only makes your journey more fun, but can even create new long-lasting friendships.

beat boredom on bikepacking adventures