Basic Bikepacking Course - Seattle - 2025

Bikepacking Course

Basic Bikepacking Course

Combine backpacking and cycling skills to experience the joy of traveling off-the beaten path. Go further on singletrack, gravel and remote roads, carrying all your essentials! You will learn how to pack overnight gear, perform common field maintenance tasks and plan trips.

This course provides a solid foundation in Bikepacking. Topics are clothing, loading and carrying personal & group gear, field maintenance, trip planning, camp setup, and traveling with a group. Successful completion will allow you to join Bikepacking outings.
(NOTE: An E-bike is not allowed in this course. )
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Registration Process 

  • Please read all details below. 
  • Fill out the Registration Form before registering for the course.  It takes about 20 minutes and provides us with background on you, your bike and gear, and your experience.  Instructors do not need to fill out this form.

(This is a Google Form. If you don't have an account with Google, email the course leaders and we'll send the questions to you.)

COURSE REGISTRATION FORM

Course Prerequisites include:

 -  You must own (or have the capability to rent or borrow) a mountain bike or gravel bike and be capable of riding over an extended period of time/miles, primarily off-pavement, on gravel and/or singletrack trails, with gear attached.

 - You must have recent overnight back-country camping experience.

 -  Participants must be capable of riding up to 25 miles in a given day, trip and terrain dependent.   

Course and Graduation Requirements 

Attend five sessions, which include three evenings at the Seattle Program Center, a Check-Ride / Gear Shakedown field trip, and an overnight field trip. These are listed and described in Course Requirements tab below.  Successful completion will allow the student to participate in Bikepacking outings.

Pay attention to the activity dates below.  Registering for this course will automatically book all five sessions for you and add them to your "Activity" list:  

  • Session 1: Bikes, Gear, Clothing, bike bags
  • Session 2: Bike Field Maintenance Clinic
  • Session 3: Check Ride:  Full-gear day-trip shakedown of bikepacking gear 
  • Session 4: Trip Planning, Logistics, Field Trip preparation, etc.
  • Session 5: Field trip: Overnight  bikepacking trip

REMINDER -- Please fill out the Course Registration Form before you register. 

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements
Course Activity Date Availability Leader
Bikepacking Session #1 - Introduction
Seattle Program Center
Tue, Mar 25, 2025
Registration closes Mar 13
1 participant
2 instructors
Bikepacking Session #2 - Field Maintenance & Repair
Seattle Program Center
Tue, Apr 15, 2025
Registration closes Mar 13
1 participant
6 instructors
Bikepacking Session #3 - Check Ride
Palouse to Cascades Trail
Sun, Apr 27, 2025
Registration closes Mar 13
1 participant
2 instructors
Bikepacking Session #4 - Trip Planning, Logistics, Etc
Seattle Program Center
Wed, Apr 30, 2025
Registration closes Mar 13
1 participant
3 instructors
Bikepacking Session #5 - Field Trip
Palouse to Cascades Trail
Sat, May 3, 2025 -
Sun, May 4, 2025
Registration closes Mar 13
1 participant
4 instructors
Roster
Required Equipment
  • Mountain Bike or Gravel Bike (if you do not know what qualifies as a mountain bike or gravel bike, please inquire with course leader. You must own one before course begins. E-Bikes are not allowed but are under consideration for future courses.)
  • Helmet, eye protection , and gloves
  • Bikepacking Bags (can be purchased after lecture 1)
  • (Optional) Daypack
  • Ten Essentials
  • Overnight (minimalistic) Backcountry/Backpacking Gear
  • Appropriate Clothing
  • Bike Maintenance Tools
Course Materials

There are no materials for this course.