Bikepacking is backpacking with a bike. Simple.

Actually the definition is more nuanced than this. This type of cycle touring ranges from ultralight mountain bike setups designed to crush single trails, to more encumbered setups to ride extended tours such as The Great Divide.

Rodrigo and I both had our tents strapped to the handle bars and Rodrigo benefited from a new seat post bag from Revelate Designs. We carried sleeping bags, warm clothing, food, wine, water and a few tools. I had some additional batteries and gopro for filming.

The route provided spectacular scenery and some of the most enjoyable cycling that I have experienced in the Greater Adelaide area.

We followed the River Torrens bike path all the way to Gorge Rd and wound our way up though the gorge to Cudlee Creek for a hot breakfast. We passed Chain of Ponds, Gumeracha and Foreston on our way to Mt Crawford Forest Reserve. En route, I helped a sheep get home.

Camp was set at Chalks Campground in the early afternoon and we spent the rest of the day taking trails through the forest, climaxing with a climb up Mt Crawford and a single track descent.

Back at camp, we got the fire going and feasted on cured meats, cheeses, olives, campfire capsicum, bread and wine.

It was a cold night and we woke up to stiff, frozen tents. Rodrigo in particular suffered, having only brought fingerless riding gloves. We packed camp and rode to Birdwood where we warmed ourselves with coffee at the bakery.

From Birdwood we took the Onkaparinga Valley Rd and Amy Gillett Bikeway to Lobethal, it was downhill almost the whole way. At Lobethal we had more coffee at the Amberlight Motorcycle cafe (the bierhaus was closed!)

From Lobethal onwards, we had a majestic ride through vineyards and orchards, we passed a quarry, abandoned farm houses and meandered over rolling hills.

Near Montacute Conservation Park we met up with the Mawson Trail and really put the mountain bikes to use on some fast down hill sections.

We followed the River Torrens bike path all the way back to Adelaide and went straight the the Market Shed for recovery food and beers.

The wide tyres made for slower going than I am used to, but this was somewhat offset by our light loads. In total, we managed to put away 170km in two days.

---

Bikepacking is a more adventurous style of bicycle touring. Wide tyres, sturdy geometry and suspension enable the rider to tackle challenging routes and make for fast paced descents over rough terrain. It may be slow going, but for a weekend, it was not noticeable.

On yer bike!