One of the most fantastic activities you can do on your MTB is organizing a trip of two or more days, maybe in the mountains. There’s nothing that makes you feel in touch with nature like a bike trip, guaranteed. And if you know how to adapt and you don’t get carried away, you can even try sleeping under the stars. However, even if it takes little or nothing to survive, a couple of precautions are needed for an incredible experience and in order not to meet with any more difficulties than necessary.
Bike touring is called bikepacking and the concept arose in the United States, more specifically for long-distance races, on routes that couldn’t be completed in a single day. It’s all about being self-supported. Bikepackers bring everything they need with them, including food and drink. Basic advice applies, of course – the first few times, don’t attempt routes longer than a couple of days and above all don’t climb trails that are too difficult. Take a look at the weather before leaving (avoid rain, at least the first time) and above all check your bike thoroughly, so you don’t have to deal with the unexpected a few hundred yards after setting off or in a worse situation in the middle of nowhere. One last tip – to sleep, rely on facilities like shelters or bivouacs, so you don’t have to bring tents or cots with you, really weighing down the bike setup.
And when it comes to weather, one of the most important tips is to dress in layers. Having several garments available is essential, especially in the mountains where temperature and climate can change in minutes, in any season. Starting from the inside, we recommend you wear a breathable technical fabric jersey instead of the classic cotton jersey. The reason is simple. Technical fabrics breathe and dry more quickly. Traditional jerseys, on the other hand, tend to get soaked, especially with heavy perspiration.
As we already said, particularly cold days or, more simply, sudden storms can also crop up in summer. It means you need an outer ‘shell’, which is waterproof but breathable at the same time, in order not to find yourself in the unpleasant situation of being soaked in stagnant sweat. An MTB jacket needs to be made of a stretch waterproof membrane, have lots of pockets, adjustable air vents and fold up into a small space. Pay attention to the seams. They have to be taped, or water will seep through the tiny holes in them.
MTB knee guard with Pro-Shape 2.0 protector, lightweight and extremely well-ventilated.
In summer, on an MTB outing in the mountains, it can be extremely useful. It’s common knowledge that at high altitudes in the morning and towards the evening it’s always much cooler than the middle of the day, so a technical vest can help us protect the torso from the wind, as the second most cold-sensitive body area, after hands and feet. The more modern models incorporate light padding in the front area, while on the back they are made of a particularly breathable fabric to enable optimal heat exchange.
The most important protector of all is your helmet, to be worn at all times, both on multi-day bikepacking trips and on short evening training sessions. You can choose a full-face or open-face one, even though for longer journeys, perhaps with a smoother route, we recommend the greater practicality of an open-face model. For a trip to the mountains, on particularly demanding alpine paths, a full-face helmet is still a valid option due to the unbeatable level of protection it offers. In the height of summer, don’t forget your sunglasses or, alternatively, your MTB goggles. Another significant topic is protectors for bike touring. Modern protectors, in addition to offering you a high degree of protection, are almost unnoticeable once on. One example is MTB Trail Skins Air Knee Guards, designed precisely to ensure maximum freedom of movement and ventilation. You’ll forget you have them on after a few minutes.
There are also other items you need to take with you on a bike trip. Your shorts, naturally combined with a pad, which have to be light and equipped with large zippered pockets. To cope with the unpredictable weather, also bring a spare pair of gloves along with you. And then at least a spare inner tube or a tubeless tire repair kit, a pump, a connecting link for the chain and the classic multi-tool, a toothbrush, a shirt for sleeping, a water bottle and a small supply of food (energy bars and gels are especially useful, but even the classic sandwich shouldn’t be underestimated).
Like any activity, going on a bike trip takes some planning, especially in terms of clothing, and particularly if the trip is mainly in the mountains. Trust us and follow this little selection of tips to make the most of your MTB trip.
