Or how to start traveling by bike without restrictions

In a world that is rushing faster and faster, many people are discovering that… it is worth slowing down sometimes. Or more precisely: slowing down to the speed of a bicycle and setting off on a route that does not lead directly to a destination, but to an adventure.
Welcome to the world of bikepacking – light, slow cycling where everything you need fits into a few bags attached to the frame.

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What is bikepacking?

Bikepacking is a minimalist form of bicycle tourism .
Instead of heavy panniers and racks, you use lightweight, aerodynamic bags mounted directly to the bike: on the handlebars, frame and seatpost.

Fun fact

The term bikepacking was born in the USA. The first bikepackers were participants of multi-day ultramarathon bike rides who were looking for a way to travel light and fast with all their gear on a bike.

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Why is it worth trying?

• Freedom to choose the route – you go wherever you want: through mountains, forests, gravel roads.

• Minimalism – you learn to take only what is necessary.

• Contact with nature – overnight stays in a tent, sunrises over the lake.

• Head reset – no screens, maximum mindfulness.

• Adventure – every day is a new story.

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What to take on your first bikepacking trip?

You don't need a few thousand dollars worth of equipment to get started. Here's a proven, lightweight starter kit:

Bike bags:

• Saddle bag - perfect for sleeping bag and clothes

• Handlebar bag - for tent, mat or jacket

• Frame bag – for food, tools, electronics

• A waist bag or a small handlebar bag – documents, phone, GPS

👉 See our equipment!

Other things:

• 🛏️ light sleeping bag and mat

• 🍲 freeze-dried or fast food

• 🔧 multitool, patches, spare tube, pump

• 🧢 clothes (in layers!)

• 🔋 power bank, front/rear lights

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Bikepacking routes - suggestions with maps

1. Tuchola Forest

Forest, lakes, empty roads – a great route to start with.
📍 See the routes

2. Podlasie Off-Road

Wild, sandy roads, storks, silence. Perfect for 3-4 days.
📍 See the routes

3. Beskid Gravel

Hills, serpentines and wonderful views.
📍 See the routes

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Pro tips for getting started

• 🚴♂️ Do a test route with full equipment (e.g. 1 day around the house)

• 📦 Pack less than you plan to – seriously, less is more

• 🌿 Respect nature - no litter, no noise

• 🗺️ Leave room for spontaneity – the best moments are unplanned

• 📸 Take pictures, but look with your eyes too, not just through your phone

  
  
  
  

  

  
  

  🙋 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

  ❓ Do I need a gravel bike for bikepacking?
  No. Gravel, MTB, trekking – any bike will do, if you are willing.

  ❓ Where can you sleep?
  In Poland, legally in designated zones "Spend the night in the forest". You can also use campsites and agritourism.

  ❓ How many days should I plan to start with?
  2–3 days is the perfect time to avoid getting exhausted and still feel the atmosphere of adventure.
  
  ❓ How to protect things from rain?
  Most bikepacking bags (e.g. made of X-Pac VX21 material) are waterproof, but it is always worth additionally packing things in string bags or dry bags – especially clothes and electronics.
  

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At the end

Bikepacking is not a race. It is a way to catch your breath, to learn about the world and yourself.
You don't have to have a top-of-the-line gravel bike or a titanium frame. Start with what you have. What matters is that you get going.

👉 And if you're looking for equipment that really works - Check here . But no pressure - first ride the first kilometers. The rest will come by itself.