CyclistBikepacking in Europe: Where to ride, how to pack and how to take it even furtherWhat Dan Burden first described as bikepacking in a 1973 article in National Geographic would nowadays be called cycle-touring: he rode from Alaska to Southern Mexico over a year on a bike equipped with panniers carrying more than 20kg of luggage. The term bikepacking has come to describe a more aerodynamic and lightweight setup, although its widespread use sometimes covers anything from leisurely adventures to ultra-endurance racing.Europe is particularly well suited to all forms of bikepacking adventures thanks to its relatively dense population, temperate climate and many small roads. If youre looking for your next adventure, here are three excellent European destinations to keep on your radar along with some packing tips, plus suggestions for those wanting to take things a step further into ultra-endurance events.Three European destinations for bikepackingIrelands Atlantic CoastEmma KarslakeThe Wild Atlantic Way runs along Irelands western coast from Muff in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. It covers around 2,500km with 26,000m of elevation, providing enough terrain for a trip of several weeks, but individual sections can just as easily form the basis of a shorter bikepacking adventure.The route was originally signposted in 2014 as a tourism route for drivers, taking visitors onto small scenic roads along the Atlantic coast. Riders who prefer to be away from motorised traffic as often as possible might be better off following Eurovelo 1 signs, which lead to nearby cycle paths and greenways.The scenery changes considerably as the route progresses. County Mayos peat bogs and dark green hills have something of the character of Scotland, while further south, the craggy coastline offers a radically different landscape. In fact, I had to look twice at some pictures to differentiate between County Kerry and the South African coast.Getting there is relatively simple. Trains connect Dublin with Derry/Londonderry and Cork, putting riders within reach of the northern and southern ends of the route.There are plenty of B&Bs along the route, as well as campsites. Wild camping is tolerated in some remote areas, and it is often possible to find a friendly landowner willing to let you pitch a tent for the night.Best time of year to go: late spring to early autumn. Avoiding the height of midge season (July and August) is advisable if camping.Andalusia, SpainEmma KarslakeThe Andalusia region has many of the qualities that have made Girona a popular cycling destination, such as good roads and an established cycling culture, while also offering considerably more mountainous terrain.It is not difficult to see why professional riders such as Jonas Vingegaard enjoy the region for winter training. The mild climate allows for substantial mileage during the cooler months, while the near-empty mountain roads provide a great playground for keen climbers.Emma KarslakeFor a bikepacker, Mlaga makes a convenient starting point. From there, riders can head towards Seville, Granada and Crdoba, linking up major historic cities with white villages that pepper the landscape, enjoying breathtaking views and occasional dips in reservoirs on the way.Andalusia has many affordable guesthouses to offer, but few quiet campsites suitable for tents and wild camping is expressly prohibited, so the only option for a night under the stars is to set up a stealth bivvy.Best time of year to go: March to June and late September to December. Summer is best avoided as temperatures can become extremely high, especially inland.The Black Forest, GermanyEmma KarslakeThe Black Forest in southwest Germany is particularly suited to gravel bikepacking. The region has an extensive network of small paved roads and well-maintained forest tracks, allowing riders to construct routes that combine both surfaces without spending much time on major roads.It offers a useful combination of quiet riding, relatively straightforward logistics and enough climbing to make the route interesting.Emma KarslakeFreiburg im Breisgau is an easy starting point for a loop of 800km or more, taking in forest roads, local peaks and towns such as Baden-Baden, where hot springs feed fountains and spill from pipes and gutters.German campsites often charge around 30 a night, even for riders carrying nothing more than a small tent. Forest shelters, known as Schutzhtten, where overnight stays are tolerated, can provide a more scenic alternative. Guesthouses are mostly cyclist-friendly and often cost only a little more than campsites.Best time of year to go: Spring or autumn. Summer often gets uncomfortably warm, and swarms of horseflies can make extended periods in the forest less appealing.How can I pack efficiently without sacrificing the essentials?Emma KarslakeWherever you choose to go bikepacking, you will have to give careful consideration to your packing list. There is no shortage of ready-made packing lists from bikepackers, specialist websites and manufacturers, but ultimately the right setup depends on the rider and will be refined through trial and error.The questions to ask are: what are my non-negotiables for comfort? What temperature variations and rainfall am I expecting? Will I be camping?Here are some guidelines to start putting a list together without carrying superfluous items.Question the necessity of each itemMake a list based on the cyclist version of an overnight bag, then go through it again asking whether you need each item and what would happen if you left it at home.Then, ask yourself how much of each item you need. If you are travelling for a week, you wont go through an entire bar of soap, so cut it in half.Then, do a short test trip over a weekend. If an item comes home without having been used, consider striking off the list. A repair kit and first-aid bag are exceptions to this rule.On the other hand, a rider needs to know their non-negotiables. For example, I am a minimalist bikepacker able to carry a total of 5kg including camping gear, but I always pack at least two pairs of gloves and four pairs of socks wherever I may go because I have poor circulation in my extremities.If there is a particular part of your body, daily routine or sleeping routine that is disproportionately affected in tough environments, it is worth carrying what you need to deal with it.The triple-two rule for compact packingPacking is ultimately a compromise between weight and comfort, especially for those without a big budget. For space-efficient packing, I follow what I call the triple-two rule.First, as far as possible, make sure that no two things share a purpose. If I need something to eat with, I will normally choose either a fork or a spoon rather than carrying both, having found that I usually end up with a favourite implement a couple of days in.Second, make sure that every item serves at least two purposes. A thin scarf can double as a fast-drying towel; a cold-processed bar of soap can be used for personal hygiene and laundry.Third, make sure that containers hold at least two things if they are not full a pair of brake pads just about fits in the little box that contains my spare cleats.A few must-havesHere are a few items you should think twice about leaving behind:An adventure-ready repair kit containing what you would take on a day ride as well as an extra tube, a tiny bottle of lube or drip wax, and some tape or zip-ties. For a longer or more remote trip, consider carrying a couple of spare spokes. Even if you do not know how to fit them yourself, having the correct spokes available means that the first bike shop you reach can fit them without having to order in the right size.A first-aid kit and an emergency blanket for remote, cold or hot trips.Spare shoes. Even trips with very little walking planned warrant a spare pair of shoes to let your feet air out. Sliders are particularly useful because they are light, can be strapped to the outside of a bag and can be worn with socks on chilly evenings.A set of clothes that stays clean and dry no matter what. Camping in the rain is only made more miserable by the prospect of getting into dirty clothes at night. One shirt and a pair of shorts that took a lot of effort to keep smelling nice are sometimes a bikepackers only solace.Some items fall into the nice-to-have category. A Fiber Fix emergency replacement spoke is useful for a temporary repair without having to dismantle a cassette or rotor. I also use a Wippermann Connex chain link, which can be fitted and removed by hand. I regularly remove my chain, go and deep clean it in a sink, and fit it back on, all within a few minutes.Ready for a bigger challenge?James RobertsonAudaxAudaxes are non-competitive events (ie, without a finishers ranking) ranging from 200km to over 1,000km and where participants need to prove their presence at designated checkpoints via an app or in a more traditional way, by asking a local business to stamp a paper card. Up until a few years ago, audaxes were dominated by men over 50.While you may still see the odd 20-year-old aluminium frame featuring strategically placed cardboard and duct tape in an attempt to improve its aerodynamics, audaxes have recently enjoyed a revival with the emergence of ultracycling. Their ranks have been widened by riders of all ages using this informal setting to build the experience required for ultra-endurance events.For riders wanting to take the next step, there is now a broad range of ultra-endurance events in Europe. I asked ultracyclist and ultracycling coach Nathalie Baillon for recommendations. Baillon holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest womens cycling crossing of Europe from Tarifa to the North Cape, and regularly finishes on the podium at ultra-endurance events.Friendly ultrasFor Baillon, Desertus Bikus and B-HARD Ultra Race stood out as good events for first timers.Desertus Bikus (1,300km/13,000m elevation) has checkpoints located on gravel sections across Spain but allows riders to choose their own route between them. This gives the event a strong bikepacking character: route planning, navigation, food, sleep and mechanical decisions all form part of the challenge.B-HARD Ultra Race (1,215km/16,000m elevation) in Bosnia and Herzegovina was designed to promote tourism and so that riders enjoy local sites and hospitality instead of zooming through landscapes to get to the finish line. It has a reputation for good organisation and a friendly atmosphere, while the route provides substantial climbing and varied terrain.The Wild West Country (750km/11,000m elevation) is my personal addition to Baillons list. While the top participants are competitive and the route through Devon and Cornwall is challenging, some less demanding transitional sections and fairly generous cutoffs make it a good event for beginners. Its much tougher big sister, The Perfidious Albion (1,600km/23,000m elevation), is still a niche event so the atmosphere is friendly, yet it seems like a good playing field for record-breaking attempts.Competitive ultrasFor riders looking for even more challenging rides and competitive fields, Baillon points to the Transcontinental Race on road and Badlands on gravel.The Transcontinental Race (about 4,000km/40,000m elevation) has established itself as the holy grail of ultras. It has unforgiving cut-off times, strict rules, and combines extreme distance with self-supported racing, requiring riders to make decisions about routing, sleep, food and equipment while racing across Europe against a large pool of competitive athletes.Badlands (about 800km/16,000m elevation) offers gravel riders a comparable level of commitment on a very different type of terrain, with remote sections and significant elevation through southern Spain.Baillon also points to the Race Across Series of competitive events that offer a wide range of distances and features living bases where participants can stop to rest and receive assistance, otherwise forbidden in ultra-racing.Time to hit the roadBikepacking is not necessarily a route towards ultra-endurance. It can simply be a way of travelling with little luggage and a lot of freedom. For riders who eventually decide they want to race across a country or continent, however, it provides a useful education.The post Bikepacking in Europe: Where to ride, how to pack and how to take it even further appeared first on Cyclist.